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, August 30, 2004
Demonstrate for Justice
HERE Local 27's lunchtime action at Park America has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Sept. 1, from noon to 1 p.m.
An unfair labor practice charge against Park America has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that Park America management illegally questioned workers about union activity. Demonstrate for justice at the Park America Garage (1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; garage entrance on 10th Street) and support workers whose rights have been violated. For more information, contact Krista at 202/545-1789, ext. 12, or by e-mail.
The Adams Morgan Main Street Group is excited to be this year's organizer for Adams Morgan Day. The festival will be celebrated Sunday, Sept. 12, from noon to 6 p.m. on 18th Street NW, between Columbia and Florida Avenues. If you would like to volunteer for Adams Morgan Day 2004, contact Paul Marengo, volunteer coordinator, at amd2004vollies@yahoo.com.
The Human Needs First 2004 DC Primary Election Voter Guide consists of answers to a questionnaire that was distributed to all local candidates who had filed petitions with the Board of Elections and Ethics by the July 7 deadline. The voter guide also includes an overview of human needs issues in the District of Columbia, as well as a short guide to voter registration, absentee balloting, and finding your polling place.
Candidates were given approximately one month to respond to the questionnaire. Responses are printed verbatim with one exception: candidates were asked to limit each answer to 100 words, and to respect those who adhered to that limit, longer answers were cut off at the point they reached the limit. If a candidate's responses do not appear in the guide, that candidate did not send a response.
Everyone is encouraged to reproduce and distribute the voter guide. Printed copies will be handed out at candidate forums and other public events. An electronic version of the guide is available at this website. Hard copies are available from the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless at 202/328-5500. For a copy of in Spanish, visit http://www.carecendc.org, or call 202/328-9799, ext. 26. If you have any questions, contact Julia Gordon at 202/669-0424 or julia@juliagordon.net.
The Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance of Washington, DC, has released its ratings of candidates in the Sept. 14 primary election. Four candidates were predominant, based on their questionnaire responses and records on gay issues: Jack Evans, Carol Schwartz, Adrian Fenty and at-large Democratic challenger Sam Brooks. The worst ratings were earned by Kevin Chavous and Sandy Allen.
For all of the details, including the full text of the candidates' responses, visit this website.
An unfair labor practice charge against Park America Garage has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that Park America management illegally questioned workers about union activity. Support workers whose rights have been violated and demand that Park America respect workers' rights at the first public demonstration at Park America (1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; garage on Tenth Street), on Thursday, Aug. 26, from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Krista at 202/545-1789, ext.12, or krista@hereunion.org.
Washington's newest blog, DCist, promises to be "a website about Washington, D.C. and everything that happens in it. That means news and events, restaurants and bars, happenings and goings-on."
Welcome, and best of luck! If it does half the job here in DC that its parent blog, New York City's Gothamist, does in NYC, we're in for some quality blogging.
The government-backed Janjaweed militia in Darfur, Sudan, is murdering innocent Black Africans, as many as 1,000 a day. Some 50,000 to 100,000 civilians have been killed, and around 1.4 million have been forced from their homes.
The Save Darfur Coalition has identified Wednesday, Aug. 25, as "Sudan: Day of Conscience." On that day, communities across North America are urged to engage in interfaith activities to raise public awareness about the horrific situation in Darfur and to demand that the international community take immediate and decisive action to stop the killing, raping and destruction of villages, and to assure that humanitarian relief reaches all those in need.
Come to a rally for Darfur, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at noon, in Dupont Circle, where there will be guest speakers, petitions to sign and information about how you can help. For more information, call Marla Wilson at 202/253-7250.
Enjoy the music of Soft Complex, Hott Beat, First Ladies DJ Collective and Noskilz Syndicate at a rock concert and dance party to benefit Community Harvest, Empower DC, Books to Prisoners and Homes Not Jails.
The party gets started at 7 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 20, at the Josephine Butler Center (2437 15th St. NW; near Euclid, across from Malcolm X Park). Donations are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. For more information or to order tickets, call 202/588-1087.
Emmaus Services for the Aging (1426 Ninth St. NW) needs help this Saturday, Aug. 21. Volunteers are needed to go out in pairs and visit isolated seniors. Each pair will visit two to three seniors and then report back to the Emmaus office. New volunteers are required to attend an orientation at 9:30 a.m. and then go on visits until 2 p.m.
Help is also needed to pack and deliver about 170 food bags to seniors in the Shaw neighborhood. Volunteers who deliver regularly get acquainted with the folks who get the bags. Meet at 9:30 a.m. behind Bread for the City (1525 Seventh St. NW, off the 600 block of Q Street).
The Street Stage is a free community arts performance event that provides a creative outlet for those experiencing homelessness. Each event not only serves as a stage, but also as a way to break down barriers by bringing together artists and art enthusiasts regardless of their socioeconomic background.
On Saturday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., The Street Stage will welcome artists from around DC, whether homeless or housed, in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park (15th and Euclid Streets NW). The event will include stage performances (music, poetry, drama, etc.) as well as displays of visual works. For more information, call 301/233-2911.
Volunteers are needed to help assemble 77 free bags of groceries that will be delivered to seniors the next morning. Volunteers who come on a regular basis get to know one other and have the opportunity to make a critical impact in someone's life. Some heavy lifting is involved.
Meet on Friday, Aug. 20, at 1 p.m., at Emmaus Services (1426 Ninth St. NW). For more information or to RSVP, call 202/745-1200, ext. 13.
The Voting Rights for All DC Coalition is having a fundraiser to get the right to vote in local elections for non-US citizens. A $10 donation is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of cash. The event is Thursday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m., at Latin Jazz Alley (1721 Columbia Rd. NW). For more information, send an e-mail.
Join a national campaign to beat Bush and take back the White House and Congress in November. Grassroots Campaigns Inc. is hiring paid field organizers to recruit, train, fundraise and organize at the precinct level to get out the vote in key battleground states over the next two months. The group is looking for talented and committed staff, preferably with campaign experience, although everyone committed to defeating Bush this year is encouraged to apply.
At 7 a.m. on Aug. 4, two dozen activists rallied at PMI's newest location, 300 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Even though it was early, the participants were energized! Unfortunately, the loud drumming and chanting from the group was not a big hit with the residents of the new apartment building at 300 Mass or PMI, but the numerous police officers and pedestrians who gathered did not seem to mind. Kudos to everyone who came out early to support PMI workers!
Sounds of Hope is a weekly collaboration by area performers, charities and local bookstore The Potter's House. The evening of food, entertainment and community outreach benefits the performers, charities and The Potter's House which, in addition to extensive selections in religion and spirituality, also carries poetry and social justice books.
Sounds of Hope is every Friday evening from 7 to 10:30 at The Potter's House (1658 Columbia Rd. NW). For more information, call 202/232-2885 or 202/232-5483.
Join the second Saturday cleaning crew to fight gentrification and stop homelessness by helping seniors clean and de-clutter their apartments. Volunteers go out in small groups (up to five people) and are facilitated by a staff person.
Meet on Saturday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. at 1426 Ninth St. NW. RSVP to Sarah Tooley at Sarah.Tooley@EmmausServices.org, or call 202/745-1200, ext. 13.
Sistah Cypher, a group of spoken word artists, uses poetry to foster a sense of community unity. The poets are united to implement social change and to empower women through their art. Come hear The Original Woman and Queen Sheba every second Saturday of the month beginning Aug. 14, from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., at Between Friends (1115 U St. NW). The suggested donation is $10, but no one will be turned away. For more information, call Nitche Ward at 202/215-1236.
Volunteers are needed to help package 110 free bags of groceries that will be delivered to seniors in the Shaw neighborhood the next morning. Volunteers who come on a regular basis get to know each other as well as have the opportunity to make a critical impact on someone's life. Your help is needed on Friday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Emmaus Services for the Aging (1525 Seventh St. NW). RSVP to Sarah.Tooley@EmmausServices.org or call 202/745-1200, ext. 13.
If any of you can point this DC Metro Action reader in the right direction, please leave a "comment" below:
I saw a news report on Channel 9 News about the formation of a Metro Riders Union. It would be based on the Strap Holders Union in New York City. Do you know where I could find out more information about this? I commute daily on the Red Line from Shady Grove to Dupont Circle and am interested in learning more about this. Thanks for your help.
A benefit vegan dinner to support a field trip to the American Visionary Arts Museum for Emmaus Seniors is being held Thursday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m., at the Arthur S. Flemming Center (1426 Ninth St. NW, Community Room). Through Sept. 5, the museum is holding an amazing exhibit, "The Golden Blessings of Old Age," about senior, self-taught artists who started creating visionary, non-conformist art while in their 60s, 70s and 80s. The exhibit shows that growing older can lead to a creative explosion and that age can bring out the real potential of wisdom and creativity.
The requested donation for the dinner is $5. For more information, contact Markus at 202/745-1200 or markus.kampschnieder@gmx.net.
Meet others in the peace movement and share ideas and visions at the third community event held by Free the Peace. Scheduled to perform are the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, Faith and Jude, Eleanor Johnson, Ashaw Warrior, Group 36, Bomani, Peter Muldoon, Yikes McGee, Flinch, and Franko & Julian From FAMJAM. There will be activities for children, too, so families are encouraged to attend.
It all happens on Wednesday, Aug. 11, from noon to 6 p.m., at Farragut Square (17th and Connecticut NW). The event is sponsored by Proposition One, the Washington Peace Center, FAMJAM, DAWN DC, Black Voices for Peace, the DC Guerilla Poetry Insurgency, the Phoenix Project, Anti War, DC Poets Against the War, Sustain and the Community Coalition for Justice and Peace.
While Sisterspace and Books (1515 U St. NW) was negotiating the purchase of its space, authorities changed the locks on the store. Come out for a vigil with friends of Sisterspace in front of the store on Thursday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m.
A meeting at Friendship Baptist Church (1517 U St. NW) next door will follow at 6:30 p.m. For more information, e-mail brouson@hotmail.com.
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
