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).
Thursday, July 29, 2004
ReDefeat Bush Needs You
Come out to help leaflet key DC and Montgomery County neighborhoods with the new ReDefeatBush merchandise brochure on Saturday, July 31. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot behind Politics & Prose (5015 Connecticut Ave. NW). The event will be canceled if pouring rain. RSVP to amy@redefeatbush.com
Come show your support for the Guatemala Human Rights Commission by attending a night of food, friends and great music performed by Latin pop diva Alicia Deeny.
The doors open at 7 p.m., the music starts at 8, on Friday, July 30, at the Potter's House (1658 Columbia Rd. NW). The suggested donation is $10. For more information, call 202/529-6599.
Solidarity DC is committed to bringing the Washington metropolitan area's progressive community together to have fun and achieve justice – one "happy hour" at a time!
Proceeds from the group's next happy hour will benefit an excellent youth program, Shaw EcoVillage (SEV), which trains youths to be catalysts for sustainable change in DC's urban neighborhoods. SEV has two main programs: EcoDesign Corps and Chain Reaction.
The happy hour, which will feature musical entertainment and solidarity drink specials all night, is Tuesday, July 27, at 6 p.m., at Mackey's Public House (1823 L St. NW). The suggested donation is $5. To volunteer at the event or to learn more, e-mail Michael.
I am in find-a-housemate frenzy. My ad posted on craigslist specifically mentions "involved in progressive politics" because I need to weed out quickly the Republicans, conservatives, haters and baiters. It just wouldn't feel right sitting on the couch watching the news with someone who thinks King George is doing a good job.
I've been meeting with a dozen or so people per weekend for the past few weeks, and I still haven't found the right person. Many who responded to the ad worked for lobbyists or think tanks. When I asked them what kind of politics, I usually didn't hear back from them. And there were more than a few e-mails from folks in town to work for the DNC or the Kerry campaign who simply ignored the requirement for a one-year lease.
For other potential tenants, the neighborhood (Capitol Hill) wasn't "happening" enough, or the utilities were too high. (OK, I really don't NEED weekend newspaper delivery or 500 channels on digital cable, but I've become so accustomed to them.)
The search for a housemate is a sometimes horrifying experience. But it's worked for me before, and if I find the right person, it's worth it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
The heat and humidity are getting to me! I should be used to it by now, after all these years in DC, but I'm not. Work is way busy too, and I am feeling like I can't post daily - for now. I'll be back on a regular schedule real soon, but for now - stay cool.
The next meeting of the Amnesty International USA DC Women's Human Rights Action Team will be held on Wednesday, July 14, at 6:45 p.m., at Teaism in the Penn Quarter (400 8th Street NW). For more information, contact Alyson at akozma@aiusa.org.
Attend a dramatic reading of the full-length script of "BrotherHoods," which closes out this year's "Second Saturdays" series of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre.
A violent, anti-gay attack polarizes a respected, historically black university in Washington, DC. The aftermath jeopardizes the academic and personal lives of a young, gay professor and the endangered freshman student he attempts to protect. That's when we learn that "sometimes, seems like it's nothing but secrets around here ... secrets and lies."
The reading takes place Saturday, July 10, at 1 p.m., at the Touchstone Gallery (406 Seventh St. NW, 2nd floor). The event is free, with limited seating. For more information, contact 202/745-3662 or asharpebgm@msn.com.
Join in at the latest "Free the Peace" event, featuring poetry, traditional West African drumming and dancing, open mic and much more. If you want to participate or need more information, send an email to dcmayday@aol.com or call 202/641-4142.
The DC Coalition for Housing Justice is sponsoring a citywide forum titled "Decent and Affordable Housing Is a Human Right" on Saturday, July 10, from 1 to 6 p.m., at the University of the District of Columbia (4200 Connecticut Ave. NW; Building 38, Student Lounge, 2nd Floor; Van Ness/UDC Metro). For more information, contact Rose Marie Flynn at rflynn@capaccess.org.
On Wednesday, July 7, "Waiting to Go," a film by Di Tatham, will be shown. This film looks at the history of the refugee issue in Lebanon and the living conditions for those inhabiting the camps today. It also examines the UN’s role in the continued crisis. After the film, there will be a Q&A with Hussein Ibish, communications director for the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
The series is held at the Institute for Policy Studies (733 15th St. NW, Suite 1020). Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Adam Waxman at 202/234-9382 or adam@ips-dc.org.
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
