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).
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Stop Bush’s “Category Five” Cover Up
The newly-formed U.S. Climate Emergency Council, together with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Climate Crisis Coalition, is organizing an action at the Washington, D.C. area headquarters of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is the parent agency for the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Last week, NOAA and NHC had a press conference with their predictions for this year's hurricane season. During the press conference, according to one of the members of the press who attended, the head of NOAA, Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., "brushed off global warming as a factor," as far as the increased destructiveness of major storms.
There will be a vigil outside NOAA for 37 hours, leafletting and talking to NOAA employees, drawing attention to the dangerous cover-up of the truth by their bosses. Join in to denounce the Bush Administration’s cover-up of the growing scientific link between monstrous hurricanes and human-induced global warming.
When: Wednesday, May 31st, a day before the official start of the 2006 hurricane season. Speeches at 11 a.m. followed by daytime picketing and candlelight vigil by night, continuing till midnight Thursday, June 1st. Where: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD; Silver Spring Metro) More Info: Anne Havemann at anne@chesapeakeclimate.org or 301-891-6844
Workers at Verizon Wireless lack basic workplace rights and receive inadequate health and retirement benefits. When they have tried to organize to fix these problems, Verizon has conducted a campaign of illegal firings, threats, intimidation, worker surveillance and has even shut down Northeast call centers and moved them to “right to work” states.
Join with Jobs with Justice and CWA activists to tell cell phone customers to hang-up on union-buster Verizon Wireless.
When: Tuesday, May 30, at noon Where: Verizon Wireless Store (1744 L St. NW) Take Action: www.jwj.org/vzw_pledge.htm More Info: Sara Wallace-Keeshen at 202/765-4162 or mjones@dclabor.org
Farm workers who pick tomatoes for McDonald's hamburgers and Chipotle's burritos earn about 45 cents for every 32-pound container of tomatoes they pick, a subpoverty wage that has remained stagnant for almost 30 years. Although Taco Bell signed an agreement last year with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in Florida to pay an additional one cent per pound for tomatoes it purchases, McDonald's and Chipotle have refused to sign a similar agreement to raise wages in the fields.
Tell McDonald's and Chipotle to support fair wages for farm workers and to sign the agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers now.
I can't take much more of this. I've always been an information junkie, but I'm beginning to crack under the weight of this government's NSA-run-amok, fence-building, benefit-slashing, war-profiteering, stomp-on-the-world ways. I need a break from it all – someone, please, make me laugh!
Rick Fiori does a one-man show, "The Worst President Ever," monthly in Washington. The Washington Post's Express calls him an "activist with an act." Offering fresh material in each show, Fiori tackles with sharp humor and astute analysis a variety of issues and personalities, including gas prices, gay marriage, Condi, Rummy and immigrants. Listen to him describe what George Bush thinks of the folks living in Washington, here: worstpresidentever.mp3
Check him out next week.
When: Wednesday, May 24, at 7:30 p.m. Where: Warehouse Theater (1021 Seventh St. NW) More info: Tickets are $15. www.theworstpresidentever.us
"Sir, No Sir" is the suppressed story of the GI movement to end the war in Vietnam. This powerful and timely documentary reveals a hidden history, when a network of underground anti-war newspapers flourished, AWOL vets chained themselves alongside civilians in a San Francisco church, and soldiers rioted at the Presidio stockade.
Giddy footage shows troops cheering Jane Fonda in the "F.T.A." (Fuck the Army) tour. Among the many riveting interviews are those of Louis Font, the first West Point grad ever to refuse service, and Terry Whitmore, a decorated African-American soldier who chose exile in Sweden, as well as a reflective one with Fonda. Written and directed by David Zeiger, this important film opens this week in Washington.
Education In the District of Columbia Needs an Extreme Makeover
What kind of educational system allows half of its students to drop out before graduating? How can anyone escape poverty without a good education? Come to a panel discussion, sponsored by Community Family Life Services, dealing with these important issues. Add your voice, show your concern and be part of the solution
When: Wednesday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to noon Where: Goethe Institute (812 7th St. NW, Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro) More Info: RSVP (preferred but not required) to 202/347-0511, ext. 410 or jmurchison@cflsdc.org
Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee's widely acclaimed exhibit of boots and shoes commemorating the casualties of the Iraq war is returning to Washington, DC after a tour of more than 70 cities. This year, the exhibit anchors a larger four-day event, Silence of the Dead – Voices of the Living: A Witness To End the War in Iraq, co-sponsored by groups of veterans, military families, and others.
When: Thursday, May 11 to Sunday, May 14 Where: The National Mall More Info: www.afsc.org/eyes/
Join Critical Mass DC for a nice, calm bike ride through the streets of Washington. Let's show the city what the streets would look like if more people rode bikes. Why? Because riding your bike is healthier, sustainable, builds better communities and is lots of fun!
When: The first Friday of every month, at 6 p.m. Where: Dupont Circle
Veteran singer/songwriter and political activist Dave Lippman will perform a benefit concert for the Washington Peace Center. Accompanied by his alter ego George Shrub, the world's only known singing CIA agent, Lippman's show has delighted and terrified audiences throughout the free world. Current victims of his parody include the faith-based missile shield, Sport Futility Vehicles and, of course, Wal-Mart.
Lippman has been performing his brand of musical comedy (and serious political analysis) for more than 25 years. Some of his material is based on his visits to war zones in Central America and the Palestinian territories. His recent travels to Venezuela and New Orleans are highlighted in the multi-media piece "The Streams are Finding the River," which will be performed during the concert. Lippman's visit to Palestine and Israel resulted in "Star of Goliath," which covers history and present-day conflicts and options in songs and visuals. His most recent CD is "I Hate Wal-Mart."
Tickets are on a sliding scale of $5 to $20, with a suggested donation of $10.
When: Friday, May 5, at 7 p.m. Where: St. Stephen's and the Incarnation Church (16th and Newton Streets NW; Columbia Heights Metro) More info: 202/234-2000
"The revised Comprehensive Plan for the District of Columbia is coming to life. A working draft of the entire document is being assembled now and will be available for preview in just a few weeks. At public meetings and ANC Briefings held throughout 2005, you shared your thoughts and views on the future of our city.
"We have drafted a Plan based on your input, along with guidance provided by the Comprehensive Plan Revision Task Force, dozens of DC government leaders, and thousands of residents from across the city. The Plan tackles tough issues like affordable housing, environmental quality, and traffic congestion. It provides a roadmap to growing a more inclusive, dynamic city. Come to one of the Comp Plan presentations in May or June and find out how.
"The upcoming presentations will provide an overview of proposed revisions to the Comp Plan, and changes to the city's official Land Use Map. While there have been many opportunities for input over the past 18 months, these presentations will be the first time to hear about the Draft document itself. Other opportunities to weigh-in are planned - including a Mayor's hearing - but the upcoming presentations are your best chance to ask questions and be heard."
For a complete list of the presentations, click here.
"Tenants' rights and rent control are on the line in this city. Tenants have received 'love letters' from landlords extolling the benefits of a substitute so-called 'rent reform' measure crafted by Sharon Ambrose, Mayor Williams and his landlord chums. Forget about 'love.' This 'poison pen' Ambrose/Williams offering pushes legislation which would disastrously weaken what is left of rent control in this city.
"Tenants need to phone or write their council members and urge them to vote 'no' on the current DCRA Committee-passed rent control bill (Ambrose/Williams) and 'yes' on legislation to strengthen rent control (Graham). There is a suggested letter with helpful points, along with the e-mail, phone numbers and addresses of all city council members, at www.tenac.org.
"If you are not under rent control, you need to vigorously support TENAC's goal to get you there. Reports have reached our hotline of 20 percent, 25 percent and 30 percent rent increases. Phone or write your council member and tell them you want to be included under rent control for protection from 20 and 30 percent rent increases! Above all, come downtown for a major tenants' rights demonstration."
When: Tuesday, May 2, at 9:30 a.m. Where: The Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave. 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
"Sir, No Sir" is the suppressed story of the GI movement to end the war in Vietnam. This powerful and timely documentary reveals a hidden history, when a network of underground anti-war newspapers flourished, AWOL vets chained themselves alongside civilians in a San Francisco church, and soldiers rioted at the Presidio stockade.
