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, April 27, 2006
DC Sculptures and Photo Exhibit Memorialize Workers
April 28 is Workers' Memorial Day, established in 1989 as an international day of remembrance for workers who died or were injured on the job. This day is the anniversary of the creation of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Here in Washington, we have at least four memorials to workers:
"Amtrak Workers" at Union Station, honoring Amtrak employees who "lost their lives in performance of their duties";
"Metro Workers" at the Dupont Circle Metro, dedicated to workers killed while building the Metro system;
"National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial" at Judiciary Square, honoring America's federal, state and local law enforcers who have been killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known death in 1794; and
"U.S. Arsenal Explosion Monument" in the Congressional Cemetery, a towering spire marks the burial site of 21 female munitions workers who were killed on June 17, 1864, in an explosion, the city's worst civilian disaster during the Civil War.
Also, just a few days remain to see a powerful photography exhibit, "Our Future in Retrospect – Coal Miner Health in Appalachia," now on display at the AFL-CIO. Photo journalist Earl Dotter, known for his award-winning photographs documenting the lives of working Americans, joined with the Appalachian Institute at Wheeling Jesuit University to produce the exhibit, dedicated to the 21 coal miners killed on the job in West Virginia, Kentucky, Utah and Maryland this year.
The exhibit combines Dotter's present-day look at health and safety issues in America's coalfields with Russell W. Lee's 1946 photography on the gamut of issues in coal communities: mining fatalities, miners' lung health, coalfield clinics, nutrition, water quality and housing. Lee was assigned by President Harry Truman to a federal investigative team to collect data and document health and safety conditions in the nation's mines and coalfield communities. That investigation's report, which included hundreds of Lee's photographs, was the genesis for significant improvements in the lives of miners and their families.
When: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through May 1 Where: AFL-CIO (815 16th St. NW)
Join Antonia Juhasz for a discussion of her new book, "The Bush Agenda : Invading the World, One Economy at a Time [amazon.com]," and an activist discussion about how we can stop the economic invasion of Iraq and how to unseat and replace the Bush Regime. This book exposes the radical corporate globalization agenda of the Bush Administration as it is being implemented in Iraq, across the region through the new U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area, and where the administration would like to go next. It explores the history of the World Bank, IMF, and WTO and the fallacy that expanded "free trade" will bring expanded "freedom" as the administration claims. The book concludes with meaningful steps we can take to change course and implement meaningful alternatives.
When: Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. Where: Borders Bookstore (1801 L St. NW) More Info: www.thebushagenda.org
Black Farmers Mark 10-Year Struggle for Justice with D.C. Rally
Ten years have passed since the start of the grassroots movement for justice in the U.S. Department of Agriculture farm system. The nation's largest black farmers' organizations will mark the occasion with a rally outside USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The groups' leaders, along with hundreds of members and supporters, will then march to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress to ask them to:
* Provide black farmers with equal credit opportunity; * Include black farmers in subsidy programs; * Return money taken from farmers through offsets; * Order the USDA Office of Civil Rights to reopen more than 9,000 complaints from black farmers that were closed without an investigation; * Revamp the County Committee System, which discriminates against black farmers; and * Distribute program funds in a fair and equitable manner.
For a decade these issues have been discussed in the White House and on Capitol Hill, yet the movement has struggled with a difficult reality: justice has not been achieved. The number of black farmers in America, one million strong at the turn of the century, has dwindled. Each year, bankruptcies and farm foreclosures take their toll. Discrimination and mega-farms owned by global conglomerates have contributed to this dramatic decline. The black farmer can best be described as a dying profession.
Washington, D.C., has seen rental fees rise dramatically over the last five years. My rent has gone up 50 percent in that time. Previously affordable neighborhoods are gentrifying at the speed of light, forcing low-income families, the working poor, and folks on fixed incomes to leave the city and move farther away from family, friends and work. The 21st century economy has brought condos to neighborhoods like Petworth and Anacostia. I'm glad that the well-to-do have discovered some groovy inner-city spots, but where are us working stiffs supposed to live?
EmpowerDC will host a community meeting focused on affordable housing here in the District. Three topics will be covered: stopping the elimination of rent control and saving affordable housing; making more affordable housing available; and providing money for a rental assistance program.
When: Tuesday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. Where: Reeves Center (14th and U Streets NW) More info: 202/234-9119
The deadline for signing up for the Medicare prescription drug plan is May 15. If you or someone you know still needs help navigating this mess, attend a free clinic to help decide which plan is best. Be sure to bring your Medicare card and Medicaid card (if you also receive Medicaid), a list of your medications or prescription bottles, and the letters you may have about Medicare drug benefits from the Social Security Administration, a Medicare agency, the District of Columbia government, ADAP or a private drug plan.
When: Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon Where: Whitman-Walker Clinic (1701 14th St. NW; U Street/Cardozo Metro) and the Legal Aid Society of DC (666 11th St. NW, Suite 800; Metro Center) More info: Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Services, 202/939-7627; Legal Aid DC, 202/628-1161
The National Capital Chapter of The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) invites you to a fundraising evening of art, wine, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction. The silent auction includes items from Whole Foods, Pacers, Zipcar, Trader Joe's, Mary Kay, American Craft, photographer Claude Taylor, Helzberg Diamonds, Arena Stage and more.
All proceeds will benefit the U.S. Committee for UNIFEM (UNIFEM/USA) and the National Capital Chapter to help raise awareness about UNIFEM's projects around the world and to support their mission of working toward a world where women live free from violence, poverty and inequality. UNIFEM/USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Tickets are $25 if you RSVP by April 20 to unifemusadc@yahoo.com, $35 at the door; young professionals and students pay $15 if they RSVP by April 20 to unifemusadc@yahoo.com, $25 at the door. Tickets will be held at the door. Please make your check payable to: UNIFEM/USA/National Capital Chapter, P.O. Box 18101 • Washington DC 20036.
When: Friday, April 21, from 6:30 to 9p.m. Where: Mickelson's Fine Art Framing (629 New York Ave. NW ) More info: www.unifemusa.org
Come to the International Action Center's monthly forum and learn about recent developments in the struggle for immigrant rights, including the fight against the racist Sensenbrenner bill and why it's important for U.S. workers to stand in solidarity with immigrants. Berta Joubert-Ceci, a Latin American solidarity and immigrant rights activist, will be the featured speaker. She has written and traveled extensively as part of U.S. delegations to several Latin American and Caribbean countries.
When: Wednesday, April 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. Where: St. Stephens Church (1525 Newton St. NW) More info: 202/232-0057 or iacenterdc@yahoo.com
On April 16, 1862, while the Civil War still raged, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Compensated Emancipation Act, which released 3,100 enslaved persons held in involuntary servitude in the District of Columbia. This law struck a mighty blow against slavery that led to the Emancipation Proclamation nine months later.
Until the early 1900s, yearly DC Emancipation Day celebrations were the most important observance in the African-American community in Washington, DC – exceeding the Fourth of July, Christmas and New Year holidays.
Here's a listing of some of the things going on through the weekend:
What: Reading of the names of the formerly enslaved and wreath laying ceremony When: Saturday, April 15, at 9 a.m. Where: Lincoln Park (E. Capital St. NE; between 11th and 13th Streets).
What: Emancipation Day Celebration Concert When: Sunday, April 16, at 2:30 p.m. Where: All Souls Church (1500 Harvard Street, NW; 16th and Harvard Streets NW)
What: Parade When: Monday, April 17 at 11 a.m. Where: Pennsylvania Ave. NW from 4th to 14th Streets
What: Program When: Monday, April 17, at 1:30 p.m. Where: Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 13th and 14th Streets)
What: Bell Ringing by the Washington Ringing Society When: Monday, April 17, at 3 p.m. Where: Old Post Office Pavilion (1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW)
What: Entertainment When: Monday, April 17, at 3:15 p.m. Where: Freedom Plaza
What: Concert When: Monday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. Where: Freedom Plaza
What: Fireworks When: Monday, April 17, at 8:15 p.m. Where: Freedom Plaza
The picture above is Emancipation Day on April 19, 1866 as represented on a wood engraving sketch by F. Dielman. It came from this webpage, "History of DC Emancipation" at dc.gov.
The DC Anti-War Network calls on all Washingtonians to stand with the group at a vigil against torture to:
* Expose the widespread use of this illegal and immoral practice; * Educate and raise consciousness about the use of torture; * Shed light on the institutional use of torture inside US jails and prisons; Make connections between the use of torture within the US and its use abroad; and * Work together to find ways to abolish torture.
During the course of the vigil you will hear from speakers representing organizations working to abolish torture and confront governments involved with its use. Literature also will be available with information about torture and how people can get involved in the torture abolition movement.
Some people will participate for the entire 48 hours, maintaining a water-only fast. Others will join in throughout this period to solemnly bear witness to the victims and survivors of torture and to contemplate ways to work toward its abolition. Please join in; any level of participation is welcome.
When: 7 a.m., Friday, April 14, to 7 a.m., Sunday, April 16; candlelight vigil on Saturday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. Where: Dupont Circle More info: malachykilbride@yahoo.com or catsambol@aol.com
What was life like for enslaved and free African Americans in Washington, D.C. from 1800 to 1862? What kind to work did they do? Where were the slave markets? For the answers come to: “Slavery and Freedom in Washington, D.C. 1800-1862”, a panel discussion organized by the National Museum of African American History and Culture in commemoration of Washington D.C. Emancipation Day.
When: Wednesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. Where: The National Museum of American History (14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, in Carmichael Auditorium) More Info: John W. Franklin at 202/633-4752 or franklinj@si.edu
Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Immigrants and their allies are continuing historic mobilizations in cities across the country, and here in Washington, DC, to oppose the harsh and unworkable HR 4437, and to demand real immigration reform that is comprehensive, respects civil rights, reunites families, protects workers and offers a path to citizenship for current undocumented and future immigrants to the US.
The DC-based National Capital Immigration Coalition is calling on all immigrants and friends to stop Congress from criminalizing 11 million immigrants – men, women and children. Don't let Congress make criminals of the teachers, doctors, social workers, and clergy who provide help to undocumented immigrants. Stand in solidarity here in Washington!
When: Monday, April 10 Where: A DC feeder march will assemble at Malcolm X Park (Euclid and 16th Streets) at 3 p.m. Rally at the Washington Monument at 4 p.m. More info: SEIU at 202/789-8282, ext. 127, or CARECEN at 202/328-9799, ext. 29, or Neighbors’ Consejo at 202/234-6855, ext. 20. If you need transportation from Maryland, call CASA of Maryland at 301/431-4185. If you need transportation from Virginia, call Tenants and Workers United at 703/684-5697, ext. 300.
Members of Congress Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and John Conyers (D-Mich.) are sponsoring a dramatic reading of the play "Guantánamo -- Honor Bound to Defend Freedom" here in Washington.
Tight, tense and boldly current, "Guantánamo" tells the gripping true stories of four British residents imprisoned at Guantánamo and paints an unforgettable portrait of America’s controversial prison. "Guantánamo" tackles one of the most significant and troubling issues of our time: the U.S. government’s arrest and imprisonment of terrorist suspects without due process.
Admission is free; photo ID is required to enter the building.
When: Thursday, April 6, at 5 p.m. Where: In the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building (Independence Avenue and South Capitol Street SW, Capitol South Metro)
It's been nearly four decades since Martin Luther King's assassination sparked riots in Washington, D.C., and parts of the nation's capital are still trying to recover from the impact of the violence. While some speak of a city renaissance, others are unsure whether the district will ever fully recover. Join in for a screening and discussion of the film "14th Street Freestyle 68 2 98." The film, a retrospective documentary, written, produced and directed by DC youth, done thirty years after the 1968 rebellion that occurred here in the district, during the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event is free and open to the public.
When: Wednesday, April 5, at 8 p.m. Where: Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St. NW)
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
," and an activist discussion about how we can stop the economic invasion of Iraq and how to unseat and replace the Bush Regime. This book exposes the radical corporate globalization agenda of the Bush Administration as it is being implemented in Iraq, across the region through the new U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area, and where the administration would like to go next. It explores the history of the World Bank, IMF, and WTO and the fallacy that expanded "free trade" will bring expanded "freedom" as the administration claims. The book concludes with meaningful steps we can take to change course and implement meaningful alternatives.
