E-bulletin - Issue III - August 25, 2009
Dear DC Vote Supporters:
Since our last e-bulletin, we've traveled to Mississippi to take on opponents of DC's local democracy, launched a campaign to have YOUR voice heard and hosted one of our biggest student events to date. As usual, we're busier than ever!
Click through the links below to learn more about DC Vote's activities:
DC Vote Staff Travels to Mississippi to Defend DC's Local Democracy
 
DC Vote staff traveled to northern Mississippi from August 10-12 in response to attacks on DC's local democracy. Ilir Zherka, Executive Director, and Eugene D. Kinlow, Public Affairs Director, met with individuals and organizations to discuss efforts by Representative Travis Childers (D-MS) to repeal DC's gun control laws and remove all local control of the issue in the future.
Ilir and Eugene met with organizations including: Teamsters Local 667 of Memphis, various local chapters of the NAACP, representatives from Ole Miss and the University of Mississippi, Immigrant Rights Alliance and the Memphis Central Labor Council. They collected more than a dozen letters at those meetings—urging Rep. Childers to protect DC's local democracy and pass a clean DC Voting Rights Act—and then delivered them to his Hernando field office. DC Vote's work in Childers' district will continue with an ongoing advertising and letter writing campaign.
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Bad Riders to DC Appropriations Bill Eliminated
In July, the DC appropriations bill passed without harmful riders. A number of bad riders had been proposed for everything from gun laws to medical marijuana, but all but one was defeated.
Working with DC elected officials, Chairman José Serrano (D-NY), Chairman David Obey (D-WI) and our coalition partners, we secured a clean DC appropriations bill. By working together, we were able to mobilize quickly and effectively to defeat bad amendments to DC's appropriations bill. In just one week, DC Vote sent a letter signed by 25 of our coalition partners to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees; Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chairman Vincent Gray sent letters to the Hill; our partner, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, led a lobbying day on the Hill before the House vote; dozens of supporters joined us on the Hill for the House Appropriations Markup; and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) led the charge by lobbying her colleagues. DC Vote and our partners will continue to monitor the appropriations and respond as necessary to harmful riders.
Click here to see the ad that ran in Congress Daily, thanking the elected officials who helped protect DC's democracy.
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District Residents Demand the Vote in their Own Words
 
DC Vote's latest campaign, I Am DC; I Demand the Vote is a huge success! More than 100 people have shared their stories about why they demand the vote for DC. These testimonials are poignant, heartfelt and impactful. Here's what Danielle had to say:
I work hard not only in my professional life but in my volunteer work to help guarantee the freedom and equality of all people. When I moved to DC over three years ago I thought I was moving to the center of the free world, yet now I have less rights than I did in my former state.
Read more and share your own story here. Click here for a recap of media coverage!
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Young Suffragists Rally for Voting Rights at the White House
 
In June, the DC Young Suffragists rallied at the White House for DC voting rights! The young advocates educated tourists visiting DC about the lack of representation in Congress for DC residents. The group chanted "We want a Senator!" and made an impression by singing, holding picket signs and giving speeches about the issue. During the protest, the group received a surprise visit by Nick Cannon, actor, hip-hop artist and comedian. They were excited to educate him about the denial of democracy in our Nation's capital.
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DC Vote Celebrates Summer in the District
 
DC Vote has been spreading the word about Taxation without Representation at this summer's community events and festivals. Volunteers and staff handed out bumper stickers at Capital Pride and Stone Soul Picnic, chanted "DC - Vote" at the Palisades Parade (for the 11th year in a row) and talked to college students from across the country at Campus Progress' national convention. Get in on the fun and join us! Contact Jennifer Matson at jmatson@dcvote.org to volunteer for upcoming events.
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Students for DC Vote Summer Send Off BBQ a Success!
 
As the Students for DC Vote movement continues to expand to college campuses nationwide, Students for DC Vote hosted their annual Summer Send Off BBQ on Saturday, July 25 at DC's Rose Park. The event featured slam poetry, a live painter and a Young Activist Award ceremony honoring student activists for their efforts in the community. More than 150 students and their family members attended the BBQ, making it one of DC Vote's largest student events to date. All attendees received a care package that contained DC Vote goodies, school supplies, study snacks and a Students for DC Vote advocacy tool kit. With students across the country heading back to school, the advocacy tool kit will come in handy for them to educate their fellow students about DC voting rights!
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Join DC Vote for Upcoming Festivals in September!
 
We'll be at the Adams Morgan Festival, National Black L.U.V. Festival, Barracks Row Festival, Fiesta DC and more! Click here for more event information. To sign up as a volunteer for this event, please contact Jennifer Matson at jmatson@dcvote.org or at 202.462.6000 x14. We hope to see you on September 27th!
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Save the Date: 2009 Champions of Democracy
 
Each year, DC Vote recognizes Champions of Democracy for their dedication to fulfilling the promise of democracy and for the many ways they celebrate the rich heritage and vibrant communities of Washington, DC. These men and women represent the best of American excellence and value the United States as a beacon of freedom and democracy.
DC Vote's 2009 Champions of Democracy Awards Dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 13 from 6:30-9:30 PM at the W Hotel in Washington, DC. This is a landmark year for DC Vote and democracy; for the first time in a generation, a DC voting rights bill has passed the Senate by a large majority.
DC Vote's 2009 Champions of Democracy honorees are U.S. Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Wade Henderson and Nancy Zirkin of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and Akridge Real Estate. There will also be a special video presentation by Stephen Colbert, political satirist and host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report.
Attendees of the 2009 Champions of Democracy Awards Dinner will have the opportunity to bid on a number of items and services in DC Vote's annual 'Let Washington Vote' silent auction. The silent auction is made possible because of generous donations from local and national DC voting rights supporters. Businesses and individuals who contribute to the silent auction will receive recognition on the event Web page and in the silent auction booklet.
DC Vote looks forward to this spectacular celebration! Please click here for more information about how to donate to the silent auction or purchase tickets to the Awards Dinner.
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