Empower DC - Past Events (2005)
Dec. 19th- The City Govt. Has Been Selling, Giving-Away and otherwise disposing of
PUBLIC PROPERTY
INCLUDING DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Many have become CONDOS for the RICH
STOP THE ROBBERY *TURN OUT * TESTIFY * MAKE A CALL
Call the Council, Submit Written Testimony:
Monday, Dec. 19th- 9:00 AM
Wilson Building- 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Call (202) 724-8191 to Sign Up
Don't Be Silent While Public Spaces Disappear.. STOP THE SALE OF:
Langston & Slater Schools
Truxton Circle Neighborhood
Old Congress Heights School
Congress Heights Neighborhood
Bruce School Keene School
Petworth Neighborhood Riggs Park Neighborhood
AND OTHER PUBLIC ASSETS!
The People’s Property Campaign is demanding that public property be used for community needs such as:
*Recreation for all ages (teens & seniors!)*
* Community green/play space* Shelter *
* Affordable housing * Health Services *
AND OTHER NEEDS LONG IDENTIFIED BY OUR COMMUNITIES!
LEASE – DON’T SELL – PUBLIC PROPERTY!
THERE IS ALWAYS A PUBLIC USE FOR PUBLIC PROPERTY
WE NEED AN INVENTORY OF PUBLIC PROPERTY
WE NEED NEW POLICY FOR DEMOCRATIC, COMMUNITY-LED DECISION-MAKING!
CALL THE COUNCIL & TELL THEM:
Committee on Govt. Operations Members Include:
Carol Schwartz – 724-8105
Phil Mendelson – 724-8064
Jim Graham – 724-8181
Adrian Fenty – 724-8052
Vincent Orange (cmte chair) – 724-8028
*also Linda Cropp (council chair) – 724-8032
Submit written testimony by Jan. 2 to:
Committee on Government Operations, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
Nov. 29- Monthly Empowerment Circle-
TOPIC: How To Fight Illegal/Bogus Eviction Notices
*Be Aware of Displacement Scheme!*
Tuesday, November 29, 6:30pm- 1419 V Street NW DC
For more info: call Empower DC (202) 234-9119
Nov. 17- Attend Empower DC’s
People’s Property Campaign Meeting
Public Property for Public Use NOT for Private Profit!
Thursday, November 17th, 6:30-8:30 pm at Third District Police Station Community Room- 1644 V St, NW
For more info/RSVP to Empower DC: (202) 234-9119
Oct. 14- Protesting from the
Stage
“The Rawest Underground Hip Hop Show”
*MOVING MILLIONS TO ACT*
Friday, October 14, 9pm - 2am at Café Mawonaj 624 T Street NW DC
Contact: Spirit (202) 413-5428 or
Parisa (202) 234-9119
Get Amped and join Artivism & Hot S.A.L.S.A. as we raise the energy on
October 14, 2005. The night before millions answer the Million More
Movements call to action we will be “Protesting from the Stage” bringing
you political, conscious, underground hip hop with a message of truth and
up-liftment. Raging against the current administration's criminal acts in
our communities at home and abroad we will be protesting against the
unnecessary war in Iraq, blockade against Cuba, genocide of Sudan, sad
response to rescuing the victims of Katrina, poor educational, healthcare
and other major lacking social programs needed in the United States.
Artists from New York "Mental Notes", New Jersey "Hicoup
& Hasaan", Washington, DC "Bomani", "Afi",
& "DJ Undadog", Baltimore "Komplex" and Philadelphia
"Black Ice" will be protesting from the stage to raise money for
Empower DC and the Ujamaa Youth Farming Project.
Empower DC is a members run grass roots organization that enhances
and improves the self-advocacy of low income and working people in the
District of Columbia in order to bring about sustained self improvement in
their quality of life.
UYFP is a farming cooperative being developed in Zimbabwe with a
sister cooperative in DC that will offer produce to wholesalers and retail
outlets in and around midland provinces. The cooperatives mission is to
empower African youth through gainful farming initiatives so that they are
able to demonstrate the essential skills necessary to function as lifelong
productive citizens in Africa's development while developing working
relationships with youth here.
If you love supporting a good cause, are brave enough to enter the MC battle
or just want to witness the rawest of the raw hip hop verbal masters doing
their thing, join us at 9:00 pm on October 14, 2005 at Café Mawonaj, 624
T St. NW, Washington DC- where we will be immersed in the vibe of the
times— it’s hip hop culture at its best.
Sept. 29- Attend Rally and Council
Education Day
PROPERTY CAMPAIGN TEACH-IN AND RALLY - Help Us Deliver 2,000 postcards and
sign on letter to the Council!
Thursday, September 29th, 10am – noon
Wilson Building – 1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (14th & Pennsylvania)
For more information RSVP to Empower DC (202) 234-9119
This Empower DC event was featured on WTTG FOX 5 News on Sept. 29
Sept. 28- Empower DC's Monthly
Empowerment Circle
Topic: Preservation of Public Property for Public Use
Help Us Plan a New Policy to Protect Public Property!
Wednesday September 28th, 2005- 6:30-8:30 pm
Martin Luther King Library – 9th & G Streets, NW Room # A-5
(Take the redline on Metro to Gallery Place - or use parking in basement)
We Need Public Property for Public Use NOT for Private Profit!
Support An Immediate Moratorium on the sale or give-a-way of public property
until there is a comprehensive policy
September 24 and 25- GREEN FESTIVAL
2005
Empower DC is an exhibitor in the "Community Action" section
September 24th and 25th, 2005, Saturday: 10-9 pm, Sunday: 11-7 pm
Washington Convention Center – 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW DC
Tickets $15 at the door. www.greenfestivals.com
Aug. 24- PEOPLE'S PROPERTY CAMPAIGN!
Campaigning to Stop the Sale of Public Property!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005, 6:30-8:30 pm
Reeves Center – 14th & U Sts, NW
2nd floor community room – U St Metro Stop
Bring photo ID to enter building
Are you concerned about DC’s continued practice of selling PUBLIC PROPERTY
such as schools, parks, and government building to developers for private
profit?
Do you think the communities around these properties should have a say in
what uses they are put to? Do you think public property should be used to
service community needs such as affordable housing and recreation?
JOIN THE PEOPLE’S PROPERTY CAMPAIGN
RSVP to Empower DC at (202) 234-9119
May 29- CHILD CARE CELEBRATION- The Child Care For All
Campaign invites you to a PARTY IN THE PARK!
Sunday, May 29, 2005, 2:00-5:00 pm (rain date: June 5)
Malcolm X Park - 16th & Euclid St., NW
("S" Buses on 16th St., Columbia Heights Metro)
BRING THE KIDS! *Games in the Park* *Drumming* *Bring a Dish to Share* Look
for us at the Yellow Banner
RSVP to Empower DC- (202) 234-9119
We won a $16.5 million increase in child care funding- come celebrate with us!
May 14- Section 8 Under Attack, Tenants Can Fight Back!
Section 8 Tenants Rights Seminar - SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, May 14, 2005, 11:00 am
Mt. Pleasant Library
(16th & Lamont St., NW - "S" Buses/Columbia Heights Metro)
Let Us Know What Topic(s) You Prefer!
o REAC & Troubled Properties
o Starting & Sustaining Tenants Associations
o
Action to preserve Sect. 8 Housing
o Rights of Sect. 8 Voucher Holders
o What Happens after Sect. 8 Expires
o
____________________________
MAY 7- The People Unite to Defeat the Bush Program!
National People’s Speak-Out in Washington, DC: Saturday May 7
Assemble at Plymouth Congregational Church at 12 noon
5301 North Capitol Street NE (at Riggs Road)
Metro to Fort Totten on Red/Green Line
Free shuttle service provided from Metro. Parking available.
Wear your RED AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHIRT or YELLOW CHILD CARE SHIRT
Stop the Budget Cuts
Fund People’s Needs - Not War
Hands Off Social Security
Defend Muslim & Arab Communities
Full Rights for All Immigrants
End the War & Occupation of Iraq
Speakers will include:
Members of Empower DC
Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general
Rev. Graylan Hagler, Sr. Minister, Plymouth Congregational Church
Mahdi Bray, Exec. Dir., Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation
Ben Dupuy, General Secretary, National Popular Party of Haiti (PPN)
SEIU Local 82, representing workers at Howard University
Jane English, Plymouth Congregational UCC Board of Social Action
Rashida Roberts, Georgetown Living Wage Campaign hunger striker
Vanessa Dixon, DC Healthcare Coalition
Ricardo Juarez, Mexicanos Sin Fronteras and Woodbridge Workers Committee
Macrina Cardenas, Mexico Solidarity Network
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Partnership for Civil Justice
Brian Becker, Nat’l Coordinator, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Alina Serrano, Casa Atabex women's group, NYC
Jeanette Caceres, student at New York University
Shawn Garcia, Puerto Rican community youth activist, NYC
Peta Lindsay, National Youth & Student Coordinator of the A.N.S.W.E.R.
Coalition and Howard University student
For more information, contact the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition National Office in
DC: Phone: (202)544-3389 x14
Email: dc@internationalanswer.org
MAY 5- Use the City Budget Surplus for Schools,
Housing, Health Care & Child Care, Not Tax Cuts for the Wealthy
Thursday, May 5th 10 AM
Wilson Building – Front Steps
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Some Council members want to use the surplus for $125 million in tax cuts, on top of $100 million tax cuts already in the budget. Tell the Council that DC residents want
THEIR surplus invested in other priorities.
· School Repairs and Construction
· Keeping Our Teachers & Other Critical School Employees
(Preventing over 300 layoffs)
· Child Care Assistance for Working Parents
· Replacing Cuts in Federal Rental assistance
· Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence
· Substance abuse treatment
· Emergency housing for homeless families with children
Come out to send a message: Funding for Human Needs, not Tax Cuts for the Wealthy!
THE FINAL BUDGET VOTE IS NEXT WEEK - TAKE ACTION NOW!
Following the Rally, Join the Child Care for All Campaign for a Children’s Parade inside the Council Building, as we deliver children’s messages to the council members. Questions? Call Parisa at
(202) 234-9119
For more information, call
D.C. Public Schools Full Funding Campaign (202) 491-6593
Fair Budget Coalition (202) 328-5513
APRIL 27- Attend Empower DC’s Monthly EMPOWERMENT
CIRCLE
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Bethesda Baptist Church
1808 Capitol Ave., NE
[Historic Ivy City]
Directions to Bethesda Baptist Church:
By public transportation: take the D4 bus to the intersection of Mt. Olivet Rd, NE and Capitol Ave, NE. You will be right in front of the church. Driving: from NY Ave, NE, turn right on Fairview Ave, NE, and then right onto Corcoran St, NE. Turn left into the church parking lot just before you reach the stop sign at Mt. Olivet Rd.
Dialogue:
· How To Get Repairs in Your Bldg.
· How To Make Your Landlord Responsible
· Building Tenant Power for Quality Housing
· Action Strategy To Save Affordable Housing
APRIL 19- Call-In Days To the City Council For
Affordable Child Care
MONDAY AND TUESDAY- APRIL 18th and 19th
Before the Budget Hearing on April 20th, tell the Council to FULLY
FUND THE CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM!
Call Members of the Committee on Human Services:
CM Carol Schwartz- At-large: (202) 724-8105
CM Marion Barry – Ward 8: (202) 724-8045
CM Vincent Gray – Ward 7: (202) 724-8068
CM Kathy Patterson – Ward 3: (202) 724-8062
And say: As a member of the Committee on Human Services, I urge you to Fully Fund the Child Care Subsidy Program! Add an additional $30 million to the Mayor’s budget for FY 2006! Serve all eligible families!
To testify on April 20th, call (202) 727-8204
Questions? Call Parisa at Empower DC (202) 234-9119
JAN. 19- The Rawest Underground Hip-Hop Event Of 2005: A Pre-Inauguration Protest From the
Stage
Wednesday, January 19th
Doors Open at 8:00 PM
Cada Vez: 1438 U St, NW
(U St/Cardozo Metro)
The Line up includes: MC's:Kahlil (NY)- Hicoup & Hasaan (NJ)- The
Primeridian (Chicago)- and from DC- Princess- Head Roc- and Haze & D Mite - These national artists will be judging the Blazin MC Battle for the Hottest MC Title - Five Dollars to compete, Winner takes all, and will be invited to feature at our next battle...
***Dj Unda Dog on the wheels of steel***
and guest Dj-B Generic
Hosted By Artists: Bomani, Spirit and Komplex
Cover Charge: $10.00 **No One will be Turned Away**
A large Portion of the proceeds will benefit - Empower DC and The People's Video Network Youth Camp
MC Battle Info: Bomani@ d_mite63@hotmail.com
Event Info: Spirit@ (202) 413-5428 or Pam@ (202) 523-4892