DC Metro Action is a listing of local actions, entertainment, volunteer opportunities and the occasional rant on a wide range of socially just issues.
contact me at dcmetroaction@comcast.net
Action of the Day Many of these action alerts are found on the listservs and websites of organizations listed in our "Act Locally" section (Left).
Monday, October 02, 2006
Lyrical Ambush
The DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency is an anti-authoritarian, collaborative, pro-humanity artists' collective incorporating music, rhythm, spoken word, community and resistance. They host a Lyrical Ambush on the first and third Monday of each month.
Check out an amplified poetry/spoken word/hip hop open mic held in a public space featuring voices, drums/musical instruments, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and noisemakers — all available for public use. Lyrical Ambushes create a family friendly festival-like atmosphere, while filling the airwaves with progressive political messaging on themes such as racism, social justice, war vs. peace, corporate domination vs. meaningful democracy, the “war on drugs” and the misuse of fear to degrade civil liberties, etc. Ambushes consist of picking a time and a place, attracting a diverse set of artists and putting on a show of artistic resistance composed of whoever shows up.
When: Monday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. Where: Dupont Circle (19th St. and Conn. Ave. NW) More Info: dcguerrillapoet@gmail.com
The first annual Taste of Justice fair will feature music, and prison arts and crafts. Many organizations from across America, including criminal justice advocacy, legal, educational, religious, and correctional, will be on hand to talk about and showcase their work. There will also be a stage where ex-inmate performing artists and others will entertain.
Thanks to a grant received from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, acclaimed painter, author and ex-prisoner Anthony Papa will make a guest appearance at Taste of Justice. In addition to being a highly-acclaimed painter, Tony Papa is the author of the book, 15 to Life: How I Painted My Way to Freedom. Convicted of his first and only criminal offense in a police sting operation, Papa discovered painting while at Sing-Sing. His 15-year sentence was cut short when one of his works was selected for exhibition at the Whitney Museum, and he was granted clemency by Governor Pataki. Since his release, Papa has become a noted advocate for law and prison reform. A movie is being planned about him.
Also appearing will be the premiere jazz ensemble MudPie, which will perform throughout the afternoon, providing a playful musical experience with drums, bass and guitar that is free from traditional restrictions. Exprisoner Dennis Sobin will perform classical guitar music. Prison art from across the country will be displayed from the Prisons Foundation'/s extensive collection.
The event is cosponsored by WPFW radio, and is free and open to the public.
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Martin Luther King Memorial Library (901 G Street NW ) More Info: 202/393-1511
Come to the 5th annual Women's Words Slam to hear amazing, sizzling, profound, provocative women poets compete for a $400 first prize. All proceeds will go to INCITE! DC.
INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence is a national activist organization of feminists of color, advancing a movement to end violence against women of color, through direct action, critical dialogue and grassroots organizing. The DC Chapter was founded in 2003.
INCITE! DC works in the District and surrounding suburbs to build a critical mass of women and girls of color working for liberation through increasing leadership skills, engaging in political education and organizing for justice. For more information about INCITE!:www.incite-national.org, incite_dc@yahoo.com or 202/373-0031.
If you are interested in performing or judging contact michelleinbold@aol.com. Admission is $7.00.
When: Friday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30) Where: Provisions Library, (1611 Connecticut Ave NW)
Ten years since it last aired, “Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years 1954-1965,” the award winning documentary on the civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s, will return to public television this fall. To promote its return and to inspire students and other young people, Campus Progress, National Black Programming Consortium, and the Public Broadcasting Service will screen the episode “Ain’t Scared of Your Jails,” which focuses on student activism and leadership.
Immediately following the screening there will be a panel discussion on the episode and its lessons for civil rights today in the United States featuring journalist and professor Roger Wilkins, professor Peter B. Edelman, filmmaker Orlando Bagwell, and student activist and filmmaker Asha Jennings.
The right to adequate housing is clearly established under human rights law, including treaties signed and ratified by the United States. There will be a forum for homeless and housing rights activists, advocates, litigators, and service providers. Sponsored by The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and The Center on Housing Rights and Evictions, The agenda will include:
* The international sources of the right to adequate housing * The issues involved in utilizing those sources domestically * Successful models for using rights-based strategies in housing advocacy * Breakout discussions on policy, litigation, organizing, and using the international system * A discussion of next steps
When: Thurs, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: George Washington University Law School (20th St. & H St., NW)
Show your support by joining with our local tenants group, TENAC, at a local solidarity event to rally against cuts to public housing.
When: Wed., Sept. 20, at 4:30 p.m. Where: Upper Senate Park (Delaware Ave. & C St. NE)
The Amesty International Film Festival opens this week, and they'll be screening a couple of blockbusters. "The Ground Truth" stunned filmgoers at the 2006 Sundance and Nantucket Film Festivals. It's an unflinching look at the recruitment, training, and combat lives of U.S. soldiers, and how they struggle to reintegrate with their families and communities when they return home.
Also being screened is my favorite Oliver Stone film, the 1986 classic "Salvador," based on the real story of an American journalist who drives to El Salvador to chronicle the events of the 1980 military dictatorship, including the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero.
When: Thursday, September 14, through Saturday, September 16 at various times Where: National Geographic Society Headquarters (1600 M Street, NW; The Grosvenor Auditorium; 202/857-7700 More Info: This website
The annual DC Labor Film Festival opens this week. Organized and presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, the Debs-Jones-Douglass Institute and AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, DC Labor Filmfest 2006 boasts an array of new films and beloved classics about work and workers, from the American office place to the far-flung factories of the global economy.
Discount passes -– which entitle bearers to $7.50 tickets, discounted from the usual $9.25 rate -- are available from the Metro Council: email streetheat@dclabor.org
The complete schedule is posted here. For more information, contact Chris Garlock at 202/756-4155
"This Thursday we will finally rally at the Anacostia Library rain or shine. Your help in outreach is important. Please send this announcement to your friends and any contacts you may have at community based organizations.
"Rally at he Anancostia Public Library. We were rained out last week, but we won't be deterred by the weather this week so we can standup and demand that Anacostia Library be reopened NOW! As long as it is closed, City leadership should realize the educational outcomes of our young citizens will be jeopardized and the opportunity for our adults to get accessible GED, literacy training, and career empowerment is dramatically limited.
"TWO YEARS IS TOO LONG!! Come on out to rally for the immediate reopening of Anacostia Library and bring your friends and children...
* Keynote speakers * Children's activities and reading-time * Food and beverages will be served * Open mic for ALL - step up to the podium and speak!
When: Thursday, September 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Anacostia Public Library (1800 Good Hope Road SE; the 92 bus stops directly in front of the library)
Volunteer: We are looking for organizing assistance as well. Can you help spread the word by email, flyer? Can you help read books to kids or do you have a car? Contact Robin Diener at 202/387-8030
DC Metro Action is published by Michael Schlesinger, a 32-year veteran of electoral and issue organizing who is committed to social justice and to increasing participation in the political process.
All original content (C) 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Michael Schlesinger
