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, January 30, 2006
State of the Union
Once again our city's activists play host to the State of the Union address. There's more than ample opportunity to protest, watch and talk about this year's speech. The CodePink action alert puts it best:
"The President is still lying... Troops are still dying... Now the Pentagon is spying..."
Each action listed below is on Tuesday, Jan 31.
World Can't Wait: State of the Union Emergency, Bring the Noise! Where: West Side of the Capitol, on the National Mall
The rally begins at 8 p.m. with speeches by Cindy Sheehan, Ann Wright, Doug Nelson (Vets for Peace), the Rev. Lennox Yearwood (HipHop Caucus) and others. At 9 p.m. the 50-minute main event will begin: Picture a marching band/brass ensemble, a drum circle, a choir, tap dancers, a rock ensemble, hip hop poetry, other spoken word, hootenanny, African, Asian, Irish, glorious, soaring, rhythmic, each beginning and doing a few minutes in sequence, followed by overlapping moments, followed by at least 30 minutes of jazz-like improv, call and response, followed by one fully stunning long-held harmonious wall of sound that rises to the heavens. Performers will include Chris Chandler, Joe Jencks, Guerilla Poets, Rhythm Workers Union, Rabbi David Schneyer and more. Bring warm clothes, instruments, noisemakers and flashlights to illuminate truth over lies!
Join your fellow Virginians in watching Bush tiptoe around the truth again. Virginia's freshly-minted Gov. Tim Kaine has been selected to deliver the Democratic Party response to the speech, so that makes the evening doubly interesting. Come out and bring a thirst for change and a hunger for impeachment.
CODEPINK Where: Busboys and Poets (14th and V Streets, NW) More info: dc@codepinkalert.org
You can be sure that President Bush's speech writers are working in overdrive to prepare for his upcoming State of the Union Address. But there's no fooling the people. With his approval ratings low and sinking, it's clear the lame promises of success in Iraq just don't cut it. Instead of sitting home alone shouting at your TV in anger and frustration, watch with Cindy Sheehan, Ann Wright and many others as CodePink women and Gold Star Families host open mic night, full of games and prizes. After watching Bush's address, make a night of commiserating, laughing, and making plans to take action. This event is free and open to the public, and starts at 8 p.m.
The College National Republican Committee is holding a "Finish the Job, Support the Troops Rally" next week. The group's call to action reads, "Combat the anti-war sensationalism of liberal students! Show the country and the media that liberal students and the antics of Cindy Sheehan do not speak for you!!" You can see the alert here [pdf].
'If you support the war, I think you should join it. I hear recruiting numbers are low.'
"It's the College Republicans' day; don't spoil it with anti-Bush counter-protests against the war itself. Instead, encourage the College Republicans and their supporters, including Protest Warrior, to volunteer for military service: Be A Man! Enlist! Iraq, Afghanistan and other veterans of all ages can help by wearing their uniforms and personally inviting military recruiters to join them."
When: Monday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. Where: American Legion Post No. 8 (224 D St. SE, Capitol South Metro).
What exactly is propaganda art? Does it differ from the art of propaganda through the ages? How have progressive artists defied the propaganda of state and market to create their own forms of protest?
Take back propagand-art at a lively symposium and teach-in on the irony of propaganda art, collage as political protest, and the appropriation of popular imagery and culture in the production of new art. Panelists will include an art historian, a museum curator, a poster artist and an intellectual property expert on art and culture. Admission is $5 for Provision Library members, $10 for non-members
The DC Coalition for Housing Justice will hold a public forum on rent control reform. Speakers will include DC City Councilmember Jim Graham, David Conn -- an expert on old, new and proposed DC rent control legislation -- and Keith Anderson, the acting DC rent administrator.
When: Saturday, Jan. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. Where: Festival Hall (1640 Columbia Rd. NW) More info: Lester Cuffie at 202/667-6622
Journalist Christina Asquith's first book, "The Emergency Teacher," is an examination of the rise of untrained teachers in poor public schools, based on her experience as a rookie teacher in Philadelphia's toughest middle school. Join her for a reading from her book followed by a discussion. This event is free and open to the public.
When: Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. Where: Busboys and Poets (14 and V Streets NW, Langston Room)
"Southwest Remembered: A Story of Urban Renewal" is a 55-minute award-winning documentary about the District of Columbia neighborhood that was broken up and bulldozed thanks to an urban renewal project. In sponsoring this film, Empower DC asks: "Gentrification Today = Urban Renewal or Negro Removal of Yesterday?" Come to a screening and discussion of the film and see for yourself.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Where: 1419 V St. NW More info: Seating is limited; please RSVP to 202/234-9119.
Members of Progressive Democrats of America are committed in word and action, both personally and politically, to justice and democracy at all levels, and to the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems in the US and worldwide. The Northern Virginia chapter will hold a meeting this weekend, and all NoVa progressives are invited to attend.
When: Saturday, Jan. 21, from noon to 3 pm Where: Anthony's Restaurant (309 W. Broad St., Falls Church), 703/532-0100
The Maryland chapter can be found here. In DC, Joe Libertelli needs help to form a state caucus. He can be contacted at jlibertelli@udc.edu or 202/494-0742.
The annual National Conference on Organized Resistance (NCOR) brings together activists who work on a variety of issues for a weekend of learning about and reflecting on the state of local, national and worldwide progressive movements. Through workshops, discussions, skillshares, tabling, and the creation of an open and safe space, NCOR seeks to promote organized action against the injustices and inequalities that we confront in our daily lives and in the world.
NCOR 2005 was a raging success with more than 1,500 attendees, 86 workshops and numerous guerrilla events, again doing justice to a tradition that has happened every winter since 1998. NCOR 2006 will be held Feb. 3-5 on the main campus of The American University in Washington.
Help out by attending a NCOR fundraiser and contribute to an evening of music, fun and beer specials for a good cause. The suggested donation is $5.
Help Wake Up Wal-Mart continue its fight to help Wal-Mart workers earn a living wage, receive affordable health care, and demand respect and dignity in the workplace.
Please join the group's national outreach by doing a shift on the phone on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Wake Up Wal-Mart offices near Farragut Square. Click here, call 866/253-1350 or e-mail field@wakeupwalmart.com for more info.
It's been a long time since Washington has had as much activism as seen in the first few weeks of 2006. We've all become tired of the injustice fed down out throats by this right-wing government – and we're up in arms. Maybe this anger and frustration will be the impetus for massive activism and voter participation – because we need to take our government back. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
DC has more than its share of MLK Day activities. Here is but a sampling of ways for us to join together this weekend and honor King's spirit.
What: "Walking Montgomery: The 50th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott" – a roundtable discussion featuring Montgomery activists, a dramatic presentation of MLK's address on the first day of the boycott (Dec. 5, 1955), and a sing-along of freedom songs with original members of the Montgomery Gospel. When: Saturday, Jan. 14, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Where: National Museum of American History, Behring Center, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue More info: 202/633-1000 or americanhistory.si.edu/events
What: "10th Annual Poetry Extravaganza" – the program will include dance and music along with poetry. Dolores Kendrick, the poet laureate of the District of Columbia, will preside over the festivities. When: Saturday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Library (901 G St. NW) More info: Eleanor Dore at eleanor.dore@dc.gov or 202/727-1281
What: "Building the Beloved Community: Stopping Violence and Injustice" – a multi-religious service in honor of King. When: Sunday, Jan. 15; service at 3 p.m., reception at 4:30 p.m. Where: Israel Baptist Church (1251 Saratoga Ave. NE, Rhode Island Avenue Metro.) More info: The Rev. Clark Lobenstine, 202/234-6300, ext. 201
What: "The Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." – DC Poets Against the War, followed by an open mic. When: Sunday, Jan. 15, at 4 p.m. Where: Busboys and Poets (14th and V Streets NW, Langston Room)
What: "5th Annual Black Voices for Peace National Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration: Dr. King's Big Organizing Workshop" – with, as special guests, African-American mothers of slain soldiers in Iraq and a screening of the film "MLK/The Making of a Holiday," featuring Stevie Wonder. When: Monday, Jan. 16; film at 1:30 p.m., main program from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Where: Plymouth Congregational Church (5301 North Capitol St.) More info: 202/232-5690 or www.blacksforpeace.org
A lot of questions surround the nomination of Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately for those of us who live in the District of Columbia, we don't have anyone to ask them for us. Even though we are American citizens, we have ZERO representation in the United States Senate. So while other Americans have two Senators who can ask tough questions and then vote a nominee up or down, we in DC just have to live with the consequences of decisions without ANY voice in who serves on our country's highest court. When it comes to a vote on Bush's nominees, we are "supremely screwed."
In the spirit of direct democracy, Mike Panetta, a grassroots activist who lives and works in Washington, has set up a website to solicit questions directly from the citizens of the District and submit them to the Senate Judiciary Committee. If you are a Washingtonian and have a question for Alito, log onto www.supremelyscrewed.com and use the form to ask about anything you'd like: his views on Roe vs. Wade, civil rights or the death penalty. The questions will then be delivered as a package to Capitol Hill.
The National Capital Area Skeptics is an independent nonprofit educational and scientific organization that promotes critical thinking and scientific understanding, with a focus on paranormal and fringe-science claims. Next in its series of public lectures is "The Evolution of Creationism: What's Next in the Debate Over Intelligent Design?"
Rob Boston, assistant director of communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, will discuss current battles over the teaching of "intelligent design" in public schools. Boston will discuss how intelligent design evolved from standard young-earth creationism and how its current promotion by groups like the Discovery Institute is part of a deliberate political strategy to mainstream creationist ideas and attack Darwinian evolution.
When: Saturday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. Where: Montgomery County Library, Bethesda Branch, 7400 Arlington Rd. (Bethesda Metro) More Info: 301/587-3827 or ncas@ncas.org. This event is free and open to the public.
Pushing past the boundaries of theater, documentary and activism, 'Capers is a one-woman show based on the stories of families at the Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg public housing projects -- also known as 'Capers -- in Southeast DC who protested the government-funded relocation and demolition of their neighborhood. After two years in the making, 'Capers weaves together nearly a dozen characters in this moving portrait of families struggling to fight for their community and their human right to a place to live.
When: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3:30 p.m., from Jan. 12 to Feb. 5 Where: Mead Theater Lab (916 G St. NW) More Info: Tickets are $10; special pay-what-you-can preview on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Contact 202/315-1340 or tickets@caperstheplay.com for tickets. Check out the 'Capers website at www.caperstheplay.com.
On Jan. 20, 2005, Americans gathered in the nation's capital for the second inauguration of George W. Bush. "A Cold Day in DC: The Counter Inaugural" is a film about citizens challenging the administration and its policies, a story of those not seen or heard in mainstream media.
Graduate student filmmakers from Miami University in Ohio came to the counterinaugural last January and filmed the protests in the streets. They also shot a DC Poets Against the War reading at Karibu Books and incorporated the readings and interviews into their compelling film.
Join DC Poets Against the War at the DC premiere screening of this film by David Sholle, produced by Andrea Chalfin (Song of Dissent Productions, 2005 - 60 mins.). The film will be followed by discussion and an open mic.
When: Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 9 p.m. Where: Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Streets NW (U Street/Cardozo Metro) More Info: info@dcpaw.org
This month, the US and Thai governments will meet in Thailand to negotiate intellectual property provisions for a free trade agreement. The agreement promises to make big profits for multinational drug companies while leaving Thai people without affordable access to AIDS drugs and other essential medicines. In response, 10,000 Thai activists – more than half of them living with HIV and AIDS – will take to the streets to demand a halt to the negotiations until their voices are heard and all life-threatening provisions are taken off the table.
When: Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. Where: USTR office at the corner of 17th and F Streets NW (Farragut West and Farragut North Metro) More Info: Matt at matthew@riseup.net or 202/296-6727, ext. 224 (RSVP if coming so you can be involved in a simple bit of street theater!)
Iraq: Somebody Needs to Make a Plan. Here's How You Can Help.
Earlier last week there was a post about Jack Murtha being at a town hall in NOVA. Check out this report from the town hall that says hundreds of people were turned away from an already overcrowded room of 500.
People are talking, organizing and brainstorming about how to take action against the war in Iraq. It's incredible! Five or six town halls in eight or nine days rocks. And with so many town halls scheduled – like the two listed below – there are more opportunities to attract a larger number of participants.
The Virginia Grassroots Coalition will host one of the nationwide "Out of Iraq" forums during its regular monthly meeting to discuss the Iraq War and what we can do to help bring our troops home. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern and David Swanson from After Downing Street will be there to share ideas and help answer questions.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Where: Cap City Brewing, 2700 S. Quincy, Arlington/Shirlington, Va. (Pentagon City Metro to the ART 82 bus at 6:10, 6:40 or 7:10 p.m.)
Local supporters of Democracy for America and Progressive Democrats of America are holding an "Out of Iraq" town hall, to be followed by their regular monthly meeting where events and activities will be planned for this year.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 10. Town hall at 7 p.m., general meeting at 8 p.m. Where: Chevy Chase (Md.) Library (8005 Connecticut Ave.), downstairs meeting room.
Community Greening mini-grants of up to $1,000 are available from Garden Resources of Washington for community and youth gardening projects located in the District of Columbia. These grants are available for learning gardens, healing gardens, neighborhood beautification, community gardens, tree box beautification, butterfly gardens, food gardens, habitat gardens, rain gardens, etc. The funds can be used for plants, seeds, tools, soil amendments, mulch and other gardening supplies, educational materials and community outreach. Funds cannot be used for stipends, salaries or contractors' fees.
Congressman Jack Murtha (D-PA) turned the debate over Iraq on its head last month when this decorated Vietnam Vet and one of the most respected pro-military members of Congress issued his call for a redeployment of troops from Iraq. Come hear his reasons for that groundbreaking decision and participate in an open town hall meeting held by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA).
When: Thursday, Jan. 5, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Where: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) (4301 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, VA; across the street from the Ballston Metro Station) More Info: Austin Durrer at 202/225-4376
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