Why? Because the Mayor's proposed budget for FY2011 makes cuts to vital programs like child care vouchers, adult job training, and domestic violence services. Our safety net is already in tatters, after more than $100 million in cuts in the last two years. We can't afford to cut any more.  

What? Rally in front of City Hall. Hear Councilmembers speak at the rally about their plans to save the safety net through progressive revenue proposals. Visit Council offices to show the community is behind safety net programs.  WEAR RED!!!

When? 11:30-1:00 Wednesday, May 5th 

Where? 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Close to Federal Triangle (orange/blue) and Metro Center (red, orange/blue).

Please contact Kristi Matthew to RSVP and get additional information: Kristi@legalclinic.org or 202-328-1262.

Join us for DC Emancipation Advocacy Day from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Friday, April 16 at U.S. Capitol Building, Capitol Visitors Center, room HVC-215. As the District's only official local holiday, DC Emancipation Day commemorates the day in 1862 on which President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act to free the 3,100 enslaved people of Washington, DC.

On this day of celebration and unity, we must remember that DC residents are the only Americans who pay full federal taxes, fight and die in wars and serve on juries, but still do not have full congressional representation and full local control over local issues. This year DC Vote needs your help advocating on the Hill for current legislation that will bring DC closer to achieving full democracy.

Columbia Sussex, a national hotel owner with several hotels in the
local area, has been using the economic downturn as an excuse to cut
workers wages and benefits to distressing levels. Columbia Sussex is
currently engaged in bitter labor disputes at four of its union
properties, including the Sheraton City Centre in Baltimore and the
Hilton Crystal City in Arlington.

At each of these hotels the Company has declared impasse after months
or years of fruitless negotiations in which the Company made no
consequential changes to its opening proposals. As a result the Company
has implemented, without Union agreement, proposals which have:
· Reduced work opportunities for long-time employees
· Eliminated sick days
· Eliminated seniority rights
· Increase d employee co-pays for Dental, Optical, and Health Insurance
Increased housekeeper workloads
· Forced workers to work at several jobs at the same time

At each of these hotels workers have called on the public to boycott
these properties until a fair contract can be reached.

Each year the DC Council holds oversight hearings to hear from the public about how city agencies are performing. This Friday there will be hearings on both the Dept. of Employment Services - responsible for protecting workers - and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education - responsible for early childhood education.

Join the Union de Trabajadores in the 5th floor hearing room to demand that the city do more to protect workers and recover stolen wages OR join Empower DC on the 4th floor to speak out against proposed cuts to child care subsidies for working parents.    

The American Civil Liberties Union of The Nation's Capital in cooperation with AYUDA, the Latino Federation of Greater Washington, the DC Latino Action Coalition, the Rights Working Group, the National Immigration Project of the NLG, and the National Day Labor Organizing Network invite you to a Forum on the Secure Communities Program
 

Featured Panelists: 

 

• David Harris, Professor of Law University of Pittsburg
• DC Councilmember Phil Mendelson (Invited)
• Ronald Hampton, Executive Director, National Black Police Association
• Cathy L. Lanier, Chief, Metropolitan Police Departement
• Dr. Michelle Waslin, American Immigration Council
• Rebecca Headen, National Fellow, Rights Working Group
• Paromita Shah, National Immigration Project of the NLG

 

We have also invited the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE)

For more information, contact Johnny Barnes at (202) 457-0800 or at Johnny.Barnes@aclu-nca.org

Sunday, March 7
2:30 pm Snacks and Schmoozing
3 - 4:30 pm Weatherization Workshop

Are you a homeowner? Chances are that professional weatherization
could save you 15-35% in home heating costs!

Fabrangen, Ohev Sholom, Tifereth Israel, and three other area congregations have joined together to invite neighborhood homeowners to a Weatherization Workshop.

Learn how you can save energy, help create good jobs through a local Laborers' training program, and shrink your carbon footprint at the same time!

In particular, you'll have a chance to learn about Weatherize DC, a new organization that is working to integrate environmental justice, economic justice, and communal ownership of the environmental impact of our actions.

The Weatherize DC program coordinates efforts to ensure that green jobs training is made available to underserved communities, while simultaneously mobilizing communities of homeowners to create demand for weatherization, in turn creating jobs for those who need them most. (Learn more at www.weatherizedc.org)

Join Restaurant Opportunities Center and Rep. Donna F. Edwards in
looking at several reports on conditions for workers in the restaurant
industry.    

Learn the basics of how DC government works, including who's who in DC politics, how a bill becomes a law, the budget cycle, and how to advocate for your issues! Part of the Gerry Brittain Education Project, is an initiative of DC Jobs with Justice designed to strengthen local organizing and build power among working people in the District of Columbia.

Pre-register online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bdAvdFc2_2bP7TBKN2m08OLA_3d_3d
A donation of $10 is requested, but no-one is turned away.

Every day working people in our city have their hard-earned wages skimmed or outright stolen from them.

Employers withhold tips, force people to work off the clock, pay less than the minimum or prevailing wage, pay less than promised, and sometimes run off without paying at all.

For poor and working people who already struggle to make ends meet, even a small theft of wages can be disastrous for their families. Cumulatively, employers steal billions of dollars from millions of workers - money that is lost to families and communities, exacerbating the current economic crisis.

Please join DC Jobs with Justice on Thursday, Feb. 18th to learn more about this hidden crime wave and how you can fight it.

Workers' Rights Board Hearing
Wage Theft: DC's Hidden Crime
Thursday, Feb. 18th
6:30-9pm
First Rising Mt. Zion Church
602 N St NW

Please join the D.C. Fair Budget Coalition for a series of interactive Breakfast Briefings on upcoming Fridays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.  

In the District, high unemployment and underemployment, lack of affordable housing, and increased food insecurity - combined with a terrible recession - are impacting all the residents of our city. And our most vulnerable residents are teetering on the brink of disaster.  Fortunately, there are solutions at hand.

Come learn from the experts at the Breakfast Briefings about current issues in:

•  
  • Workforce Development and Income Support - February 5
  • Youth and Families - February 12
  • Housing - February 19
  • Health - February 29

Briefings will be held in Rooms 103 or 104.  A light breakfast will be served.

We look forward to discussing with you opportunities to support the city's low-income residents, draw federal dollars into the District, and invest in our city's future.