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Children to Lead 6th Annual White House Rally and Tea Party
DC Vote's Youngest Supporters to Rally for Voting Rights
For more information contact: James Jones, Communications Director
202.462.6000 x12 office / 202.557.4864 mobile / jjones@dcvote.org
June 30, 2008
Washington, DC - A group of DC-area children will hold a Tea Party in front of the White House to rally for full democratic rights for DC on Thursday, July 3.
On the eve of America's celebration of independence, the Young Suffragists will exercise their first amendment rights at the White House threshold, asking politely but with increasing frustration to be heard by leadership that has prioritized bringing democracy to other countries before finishing the job at home.
A ranger from the National Park Service will advise the children about their rights and also about special restrictions for demonstrations in Lafayette Park. The children will then march along the White House fence, then take a tea-and-cookie break, then continue with speeches and more marching.
"I enjoy the rallies because we are all working together for the same thing," explains 10-year-old Hannah Thompson. "It's fun and we're marching for something we want to happen, for the right for DC to have a vote in Congress. We're not a state but we're the only place that does not have a vote and it's not fair."
In the five years since the Young Suffragists began learning about the problem, they have met with U.S. Senators and staff, US Congressmembers and staff, and two mayors. They have visited state capitals, the Wilson Building, and several embassies to find out what democracy should look like. They have studied the women's suffrage movement and the civil rights movement. They've written songs and slogans and marched many miles, exchanged postcards informing children in other states about the problem, and screamed across the continent, all in support of equal rights for the children and grown-ups of the District of Columbia.
What began in 2003 as an informal democracy summer camp for 20 children in the District has since expanded to educate hundreds of families in DC, Maryland and California about social action and civic engagement through hands-on activities and field trips. The Young Suffragists will continue to explore democracy, inspire grown-ups, and strive for senators and a voting representative in Congress for DC by the time the oldest original member can vote, in 2012.
- Who: DC Young Suffragists
- What: Tea Party Rally in Support of DC Voting Rights
- When: 8:45-10:15 am, Thursday, July 3, 2008
- Where: Lafayette Park, across from the White House
For more information, contact Jane Varner Malhotra at 202.276.4516 or e-mail at jane@youngsuffragists.org.
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