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
"Eyes Wide Open: The Human Cost of War in Iraq" will open the week of the presidential inauguration in DC at the Washington National Cathedral under the care of the DC Economic Peace and Justice Program of the American Friends Service Committee. A wall of names memorializing the estimated 16,000 Iraqis killed in the war and a field of empty combat boots symbolizing the more than 1,000 US soldiers who have lost their lives will put a human face on the casualties in the Iraq war, spotlight the deaths of US soldiers and Iraqi civilians, and urge US government accountability.
Volunteers are needed. If you are interested, call Jill at 866/EYE-WIDE (866/393-9433), or send an e-mail.
A formerly abandoned HUD home at 1959 H St. NE (21st and H Streets, two blocks north of Benning Road) has been occupied since 2000 by Homes Not Jails DC, which helps people transitioning out of homelessness. Join the effort to turn this building into permanent low-income housing by taking part in a vigil in memory of the homeless who have died on the streets on Tuesday, Dec. 21, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Those who have died homeless in DC in 2004 (as of Dec. 9) include Fernando Abrero, Zaniel Anderson, Joseph Beck, Bill Cochran, Felicia Connor, Fidel Cruz, Joyce Hall, Anthony Hayes, Diane Little, Russell McNeil, Ray Williams and Dionne. If you know homeless people who have died this year, contact Michael O'Neill at 202/737-6444, ext. 20, or submit names via e-mail or fax (202/737-6445).
Come out and have a good time with Mayday DC, a radical housing advocacy group that defends the rights of poor and homeless people in the District. Support them as they demand housing for all, and check out some talented radical artists:
~ Revolutionary soul singer Nana Soul and her band
~ Radical comic book artist Seth Tobocman (who will do a slide show with music by Eric Blitz and Steve Wishnia)
~ Sander Hicks, the singing publisher of "American Assassination," a book about the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone (who will speak and play some tunes with his wife, Holly) and
The benefit is on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 7 to 10 p.m., at Cafe Mawonaj (624 T St. NW). Admission will be a sliding scale of $5 to $12 per person; 70 percent of the proceeds will go to Cafe Mawonaj and 30 percent to Mayday DC. For more information, call 202/246-7665.
The Shaw EcoVillage EcoDesign Corps interns develop critical-thinking, job and leadership skills by designing and implementing innovative solutions to real-life community issues. The youths, ages 14 to 19, have been working on proposals for sustainable community improvement, including a community garden, a project to raise public awareness about homelessness, and demonstration projects to improve local water quality.
The interns will present their proposals on Thursday, Dec. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church (1630 Vermont Ave. NW; Shaw Metro). For more information, contact Noel Petrie at 202/265-2019 or by e-mail.
"The No DC Taxes for Baseball Campaign has had a busy and successful week. We are still fighting hard to get a better baseball deal. The final vote on the Mayor's outrageous stadium deal is on Tuesday December 14 at 10 a.m.
"We are confident that the bill could be defeated and that re-negotiations with baseball can be started. Three Council members abstained from the first vote because they said they wanted a better deal. Not surprisingly, Major League Baseball responded that 'a deal is a deal' and they will NOT offer any meaningful concessions by the 14th. So the 3 should be just as uncomfortable with the bill this time around as they were on the first vote.
"To help with make this fight successful, you can help in these ways:
1) Pack the hearing room on the 14th.
"This can make a big difference. Please bring yourself and recruit a friend, too. We will have hats and t-shirts for the first 150. The vote will be in the 5th floor chambers of the Wilson Bldg, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. It is scheduled at 10 a.m., but stadium supporters and other groups will be bringing people, too. So we need to be there EARLY. Please come starting at 8 a.m. if you can. We will try to save seats for those coming later. We will have some light breakfast food for the early birds.
2) Call or email your council members.
"Everyone should contact Phil Mendelson and Linda Cropp in addition to their ward member."
Phil Mendelson e-mail or 202/724-8064 Linda Cropp e-mail or 202/724-8032.
The DC National Lawyers Guild Student Committee and the Justice and Solidarity Collective need your help to ensure legal support has the materials and means necessary to support the thousands of demonstrators who will converge on Washington on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.
Anyone interested in bustin' a groove and stickin' it to the man should come party with funky breaks and soulful house featuring...
The DC Counter-Inaugural Legal Support Party is Saturday, Dec. 11, at 9 p.m., at Wonderland (1101 Kenyon St. NW; Columbia Heights Metro). This event is free but donations are encouraged.
Covenant House Washington is hosting a vigil in conjunction with the international Covenant House organization. The vigil, which will be conducted simultaneously in 21 cities in the United States, Canada and Latin America, is designed to raise public awareness about the needs and challenges facing homeless and at-risk children and youth.
Join thousands of concerned citizens and elected leaders throughout the DC metropolitan area and across the nation in proclaiming a Day of Hope for Children and Youth at the 2004 Candlelight Vigil for Kids. It's on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m., at Freedom Plaza (12th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW). For more information, call 202/610-9600.
Come to speak, dance, drum, or just listen. Bring your instruments along, and we'll have some extra to spare, along with inspiration to share. Rain, shine, snow or hail, we'll be there! Bubbles, children, inspiration and hope are all welcome.
Monday, Dec. 6, from 6:45 to 9 p.m., at Dupont Circle.
Go to a great holiday party and benefit to celebrate the holidays and raise funds for the local Justice 4 DC Youth! Coalition. This annual event, with live jazz, food and a cash bar, will be on Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m., at 1610 14th St. NW. The suggested donation is $10. For more information, call 202/588-9300.
The Washington Chapter of the National Writers Union invites you to join them for great books, interesting people and free eats on Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Sumner School (1201 17th St. NW; one block from the Farragut North Metro). For more information, contact 202/466-8866 or by e-mail.
This is a critical time for our country. Despite the million-strong March to Save Women's Lives in April, reproductive rights and choices remain under attack and the struggle to protect them rages on.
A new book from South End Press, "Undivided Rights," provides a penetrating look at reproductive justice as it relates to the attitudes and issues of communities of color. The book's authors Loretta Ross, Marlene Gerber Fried, Elena Gutierrez and Jael Silliman will lead a book signing and discussion on reproductive rights and what communities of color really think on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Plymouth Congressional United Church (5301 North Capitol St. NE).
Come out for the event, where you will also hear slammin spoken word from local poets and see the video from the march, "Voices for Choice." For more information, call 202/546-8459.
Visit Maryland's first 90 percent renewable energy home. See a corn-burning furnace; solar panels; a low-energy refrigerator; hybrid, electric and biodiesel cars; and a tofu-powered lawn mower. Learn how to landscape your yard with native plants, and see a solar oven firsthand! It's a great opportunity to purchase wind energy certificates, holiday trees, and energy-efficient light bulbs for the holidays, and snack on complimentary holiday treats. Check it out on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 7125 Willow Ave. in Takoma Park. It's sponsored by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. For more information, call 301/270-3722.
Dine at Phish Tea (1335 H St. NE), where a portion of the proceeds for dinners purchased on Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., will be donated to support the community newspaper the Common Denominator. Because advertising revenue is down, the future of the paper is in jeopardy. So people who want the paper to continue are gathering for this benefit.
Unable to attend the gathering? You can help by purchasing a subscription to the Common Denominator, available here.
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
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A formerly abandoned HUD home at 1959 H St. NE (21st and H Streets, two blocks north of Benning Road) has been occupied since 2000 by 
Come to speak, dance, drum, or just listen. Bring your instruments along, and we'll have some extra to spare, along with inspiration to share. Rain, shine, snow or hail, we'll be there! Bubbles, children, inspiration and hope are all welcome.
The 
This is a critical time for our country. Despite the million-strong March to Save Women's Lives in April, reproductive rights and choices remain under attack and the struggle to protect them rages on.
