by DC Jobs with Justice | Jan 14, 2012 | Grassroots Leadership Education Project, Projects
by Andrew Willis Garcés and Mackenzie Baris, with contributions by many others Read previous reports: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 rn INDEX+ 2011 SNAPSHOT + Education & Youth + Gender Justice + Police & Criminal Justice + Immigrant Rights & Language Justice+ Labor & Workers+ Housing & Development+ Budget & Community Benefits 2011 SNAPSHOT DC’S 99% PLANT SEEDS, CULTIVATE HUMAN ECONOMY Facing a perennially corrupt and ineffective local government and several years of national bank bailouts for the 1%, DC change-makers turned to each other. Grassroots projects to create a human economy took off in 2011. The two Occupy DC** encampments churned out hundreds of free, daily meals and provided basic medical care and a library for hundreds of visitors, including some who had been recently laid off or evicted. Other volunteer-run projects like DC Doulas for Choice and DC Time Bank continued to expand opportunities for a human-centered, solidarity economy.rnrnJust a few other examples: A new grassroots, all-volunteer foundation — the Diverse City Fund — distributed $45,000 to 23 organizations led by people of color, and the long-running DC Abortion Fund stepped in when Congress blocked Medicaid abortion reimbursement. Several large housing coops consolidated and began to plan to play roles in spreading coop values & housing rights. New worker and consumer cooperatives began exploratory work, like a potential Shaw food coop, a GWU coop cafe, and cooperatives of day laborers and child care workers seeking greater control over their economic lives. And collective farming projects continued to take root in neighborhoods like Edgewood. NEW YEAR, NEW MAYOR, MORE REASONS TO MOBILIZE In 2011 a new mayor took office,...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Apr 28, 2010 | Immigrant Rights, Projects, Trabajadores Unidos de DC / United Workers of DC
Condemning Arizona’s new immigration law program as “racist and perverse,†dozens of labor, community and immigrant rights activists spoke out forcefully yesterday about the dangers of collaboration between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). rnrn“Programs like this are effectively pushing America back to the days of slave patrols,†said Ron Hampton, Executive Director of the National Black Police Association, at a press conference and rally outside DC City Council. “Secure Communities” – which is close to being implemented in the District by Police Chief Cathy Lanier – involves local and state police in federal immigration enforcement, which opponents say will lead to racial profiling and the erosion of transparency, accountability and due process. rnrn“I have hopes that Chief Lanier will not implement this perverse program,†said DC Councilmember Jim Graham (D – Ward 1, at right). “If, however, Chief Lanier refuses to back down, I will produce legislation that will prevent this program and I need the support from every one of you!†he added as the crowed cheered “No More Arizonas†and waved signs reading “No Racial Profiling!†rnrnJaime Contreras – Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO Executive Board member and Area Director for SEIU 32BJ – said, “We will not stand by and watch as our community is targeted. This is not backwards Arizona…this is Washington DC, the capital of freedom. I hope that Chief Lanier comes to her senses and we will stand strong next to Jim Graham and the community in opposing this bill.†rnrnThe press conference marked the national kickoff of “Uncovering The Truth†– a week long national campaign in more than ten...
