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, September 30, 2004
No War on Cuba
The US-based National Network on Cuba (NNOC) is the umbrella organization for several dozen separate organizations that advocate for the end of Washington's hostility toward Cuba, including activist solidarity groups in several major cities. Meet, mix and mingle with delegates from the NNOC and its counterparts visiting from Cuba on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., at Café Mawonaj (624 T St. NW; Shaw-Howard University Metro). Salsa dancing will be part of the event, and the Bread Is Rising Poetry Collective will perform. Admission is $5. For more information, call 301/938-4628 or visit www.cubasolidarity.com.
Exiled Iraqi writer and poet Sinan Antoon returned to his native Baghdad in July 2003 to see what had become of the city after wars, sanctions, decades of oppression and violence and, now, occupation. Learn about his journey at a screening of an independent film by In Counter Productions, sponsored by the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. The event is Thursday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m., at Georgetown (ICC Auditorium; 3500 Reservoir Rd. NW). For more information or to RSVP, e-mail ccasevents@georgetown.edu.
Wider Opportunities for Women and the DC Employment Justice Center are hosting "The Strength to Survive and Succeed: DC Women and Their Families," a forum series dedicated to issues surrounding women and the challenges of supporting themselves and their families. The next forum will be on Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Capitol View Branch Library (5001 Central Ave. SE; Benning Road Metro). For more information, contact Heidi Goldberg at 202/464-1596 or hgoldberg@wowonline.org.
Unconstitutional: Another Look at the Impact of the Patriot Act
The American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area invites you to a screening of "Unconstitutional" -- written, directed and produced by Nonny de la Pena.
"This documentary provides an in-depth look at what has happened to constitutional liberties under the Patriot Act. After viewing the film, many no doubt will openly question whether the act goes too far." Alberta Phillips, columnist for the Austin American-Statesman.
A Q&A panel will follow the screening. Special guests will include de la Pena; Dalia Hashad, Arab, Muslim and South Asian advocate, ACLU; and Dr. James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute.
The screening is Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m., at 1200 New York Ave. NW (enter at 12th and H Streets). The evening is free but seating is limited, so please RSVP to Beverly@aclu-nca.org. Find out more at www.aclu.org/unconstitutional.
At 1 p.m. is "The Money Lender$" – a film about the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, two of the most powerful entities in the global economy. The documentary examines their role in perpetuating crushing levels of international debt in impoverished countries. Brazil, Ghana, Bolivia, Thailand and the Philippines are concrete examples of the social, environmental and economic devastation brought by World Bank and IMF policies. A discussion will follow the screening.
And at 3:30 p.m., "To Be a Woman" highlights how the structural adjustment programs of the World Bank and the IMF in countries like Uganda, Zambia and Ghana often hurt more than they help. Women are among the most vulnerable of the affected populations. This film examines issues of international debt and development through the stories of the women in three African countries who are struggling to survive being "structurally adjusted."
DCist has terrific coverage of the latest chapter of Washington's 33-year quest for a Major League Baseball team. As much as I would like to root for the home team, I am appalled that Mayor Williams is planning to finance the new stadium entirely with taxpayer money. Once again, the mayor tells us that this city's need for better schools, libraries, homeless shelters, affordable housing and other services should take a backseat to another Williams boondoggle for his wealthy developer friends.
What's really got me going is the mayor's plan to sell the name of the stadium to the highest corporate bidder – and then give that money to the owners of the new baseball team. This adds insult to injury. We pay for the stadium, we pay exorbitant prices for hot dogs and beer – and the wallets of the Mayor's cronies grow fat while vital city services are reduced.
Williams says that the money to fund the ballpark would not be available for any other purpose, but I wonder what else might be in the magic box that the mayor uses to pay for pet projects? Visit www.nodctaxesforbaseball.org to find out what you can do to help the mayor get his priorities in line with people's needs, not baseball schemes.
The final evening of the Poetry Under the Stars series is on Friday, Sept. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Sankofa Video and Books (2714 Georgia Ave. NW). It is free and open to the public. For more information call 202/234-4755.
Voting is the most powerful political act available to Americans. But a vote cast and not counted is worthless.
* Fact: The 2000 election was not the first election to be stolen from the American people.
* Fact: FBI-documented evidence of widespread vote fraud has been covered up for decades by top government and media officials.
* Fact: The Help America Vote Act, signed by George W. Bush in 2002, is the "checkmate" on the American democratic system.
* Fact: Computerized vote counting allows undetectable manipulation of vote totals from a centralized source.
Don't cast your vote with blinders on. Ignorance is NOT patriotic. Learn the truth. It's not too late to secure the November election!
Come listen and dialogue with Victoria Collier, the daughter and niece of James and Kenneth Collier, authors of the groundbreaking book, Votescam: The Stealing of America, which chronicles their shocking 25-year investigation into vote-rigging in America. She offers vote-rigging facts and plans for action to take back the control of our democratic process.
Sposored by the Social Action and Leadership School for Activists and the DC Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, this event is Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., at the George Washington University (2000 H St. NW; Lerner Hall; Room LL101). Admission is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration is suggested. For more information, contact SALSA at 202/234-9382, ext. 229, or visit www.HotSalsa.org.
Check out this link on Zoe Mitchell's blog, A Ten, A Five, and Five Ones, and get yourself to 18th St. and Columbia Rd., on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 p.m. to midnight, for what promises to be a campaign kickoff event like no other.
The American University School of Communication hosts the 2004 Political Comedy Festival, which opens Thursday, Sept. 16, with a 7 p.m. sneak preview of director John Sayles' new political satire, "Silver City." After the screening, Sayles and producer Maggie Renzi will answer questions from the audience.
For the complete schedule of the festival, which will be held at the AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Rd.; Silver Spring Metro), click here.
Randall Shelter is a public emergency shelter for 170 homeless men in Southwest DC. The Randall building, a former public school, has been used as a shelter for more than 20 years. But on Oct. 31, it's going to close.
Mayor Anthony Williams plans to sell the Randall building to the Corcoran School of Art, forcing the shelter to close, but Williams has yet to name a replacement. And it's not known why the shelter has to shut down next month, since the Corcoran hasn't purchased the building yet and won't be able to move into the building for many months.
If Randall Shelter closes without a replacement, homeless men in Southwest Washington will have nowhere in the area to stay, leaving them at risk of illness and death from the cold this winter. E-mail or call (202/727-6263) Mayor Williams and tell his office to keep Randall Shelter open until a nearby replacement is found.
Find out how you can help work for a lasting peace in Ireland at the monthly (on the second Tuesday of every month) mid-Atlantic meeting of the Irish Northern Aid Committee. Get a full political update on current campaigns and the progress of democracy in the six occupied counties of Ireland at the next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m., at Flanagan's pub (7637 Old Georgetown Rd.; three blocks from the Bethesda Metro). For more information, call Randy at 301/325-5560 or go to www.inacmidatlantic.org.
Come to a fundraiser to support the work of the DC-area Books to Prisons Project. Book donations are welcome on Friday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m., in the basement of Foundry Church (16th and P Streets NW). The sale is on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, e-mail.
DC Poets Against the War Releases Second Anthology
Celebrate the release of DC Poets Against the War: An Anthology, 2nd Edition, with a reading featuring poets Naomi Ayala, Jody Bolz, Shahid Buttar, Cornelius Eady, Richard Peabody and Myra Sklarew. The reading will take place Saturday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m., at Politics & Prose Bookstore (5015 Connecticut Ave. NW).
The Black Family Reunion Celebration, Saturday, Sept. 11, and Sunday, Sept. 12, from noon to 8 p.m., on the National Mall. For more information, call 202/466-6040 or visit the National Council of Negro Women.
The 26th Annual Adams Morgan Day, Sunday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 18th Street between Columbia Road and Florida Avenue NW. For sponsorship, vendor or volunteer opportunities, contact Meryl Icove at AMDay2004@yahoo.com.
The fourth annual D.C. Labor Film Fest features films about workers and workers' issues. Films include "Take Out," about an undocumented Chinese immigrant; "Human Error," about workers who leave their families behind to take jobs in a strange factory; and "Mondays in the Sun," about laid-off shipyard workers in northern Spain. To mark the 15th anniversary of its release, Michael Moore's "Roger and Me" will kick off the Film Fest and the classic Marlo Brando film "Burn" screens on Sept. 12. The film fest is sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council, the Debs-Jones-Douglass Institute and the American Film Institute. The fest runs from Friday, Sept. 10 to Monday Sept. 13, at the American Film Institute (Silver Theatre; 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring). For the complete schedule, and more information, click here.
Washington's labor movement seems to have kicked up its organizing during the last year, with scheduled actions for fair wages happening more often than ever. Here are three local labor actions scheduled for this week:
Can You Hear Us Now?
Support organizing efforts by Verizon Wireless workers on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m., at Radio Shack (1150 Connecticut Ave. NW). For more information, send an e-mail here.
Hotel Workers Rally
Support local hotel workers on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m., at the Capitol Hilton Hotel (16th and K Streets NW). For more information, send an e-mail here.
Support PMI Parking Workers
Aid in the struggle of DC parking workers on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 6 p.m., at PMI headquarters (1730 M St. NW, between Connecticut Avenue and 17th Street; Farragut North Metro). For more information, contact Chris Garlock at 202/857-3410 or send an e-mail here.
This weekend, I'm heading back home to New York City for some family festivity and fun with friends. But if you're in staying in town, here are some Labor Day links and news of three holiday events here in DC:
CREDIT: "Labor Day Parade, Main Street, Buffalo, N.Y." Detroit Publishing Company, c. 1900. Touring Turn-of-the-Century America: Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, 1880-1920, American Memory collections, Library of Congress.
"Come to peace park and bring your beat, it's the people's chance to turn up the heat. If you stay at home and close your mind, there's just no saying what you'll find. But if you want a world that's safe and free, then peace park, Labor Day, is the place to be. When all can play and dance without fear, then we all have a reason to cheer. United we restore the sacred ways, and our children can realize better days. There comes a time to stand and say i really don't think they know the way. If love and life deserve satisfaction, then grab your drums, it's time for action!!! Ignore all rumors of cancellation. Help restore the light of freedom. Bring your love and help convert the endless war machine!"
It's all on Monday, Sept. 6, at noon, in Lafayette (Peace) Park on 16th Street, across from the White House.
Artists of all kinds will come together to perform poetry/rhymes/chants on political and social issues. Come out and join in, whether it's to share your words or just to listen. Bring drums, percussion and other instruments. Dancers are welcome, as are any other artists.
Monday, Sept. 6 (and every first and third Monday), in Dupont Circle (at the fountain), from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
United in Song: A Celebration of International Solidarity
Join in for a different kind of Labor Day celebration at a songfest featuring David Rovics, America's foremost anti-imperialist singer/songwriter; Honduran native Maria Isolina, singing her own compositions as well as those of Chilean martyr Victor Jara; The Iron Sheik, blending American hip hop with Arabic strains in the cause of Palestine; and native Washingtonian Luci Murphy, known both for her beautiful voice and her activism in the cause of peace and justice.
United in Song is free and will be held at Lincoln Park (East Capitol at 12th Street; Eastern Market Metro), on Monday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 703/481-5711.
Native American's Sculptures Evoke the Things We Share
Provisions Library (1611 Connecticut Ave. NW), an innovative resource center committed to using the literary and visual arts as a catalyst for social change, is featuring an exhibition of 20 sculptures by Pueblo artist Roxanne Swentzell of Santa Clara, NM.
Remote Woman, "I'm Getting That Far Away Feeling Again" Image: Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian Collection: Magarate Schink Photo: Addison Doty
"Breaking the Surface," made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, coincides with the September opening of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian, where Swentzell's art is prominently featured in a permanent sculptural installation in the new museum's theater. The show will run from Sept. 4 through Oct. 24.
On Friday, Sept. 3, at 6 p.m., Swentzell will speak about her work, and a reception will follow. A donation of $10 is requested for the event. For a bio of the artist and additional information on the exhibit, visit this website.
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
