Posted on behalf or Jabari Zakiya
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Reparations: A Very Basic PrimerReparations: a process of repairing, healing and restoring a people injured because of their group identity and in violation of their fundamental human rights. In 2019, the House held a Hearing on H.R. 40, Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act. There was no vote but the hearing itself was historic. We take a look at what led up to this point. 
A Timeline Leading Up to The “Revitalization” of Barry FarmWith the deconstruction and rebuilding of Barry Farm under way, it is important to understand some of the key factors of this process, what led up to it and how it has been affecting the existing community. Here is a somewhat concise timeline of events to provide context and stay updated on the fast-changing neighborhood. 
Incompatible Allies: Black Lives Matter, March 4 Our Lives and the US Debate about Guns and Violence 
Initiative 77 & The Crisis of The Tipped Minimum Wage
 )%  %categories-linked( Education  Every Student Every Day Coalition, Jabari Zakiya, School Discipline Community Forum, school to prison pipeline 
Posted on Behalf of Andrew Batcher On June 3rd, at 6:30 pm, there will be a rally at the DC General Homeless Shelter, located at 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE (at the end of the road), right next to the Stadium Armory Metro. This former hospital turned homeless shelter, methadone clinic, and jail currently houses hundreds of DC families. The situation in the shelter is deplorable. There are infestations of mold and rats. Available funds are not being used for repairs. The hundreds of children at DC General have no safe place to play. Relisha Rudd was abducted from the shelter earlier this year. For more information about conditions in the shelter, watch the testimony of DC General resident Momauwi Woods at last year’s State of the District’s Poverty panel discussion in the video below. When taking action and organizing for better living conditions, shelter residents have faced intimidation, including violations of their right to assemble. This is unacceptable. Respect, and fair treatment is a human right, for all! On June 3rd support shelter residents in their struggle for housing, security, first amendment rights, and humane living conditions at the Rally for the Rights, Safety and Dignity of Homeless Families at DC General Tuesday June 3, 2017 @ 6:30 PM DC General Homeless Shelter 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE Stadium Armory Metro on the Orange and Blue Lines The rally is organized by shelter residents and the Washington Interfaith Network. The Peace House supports this rally as a show of solidarity with the residents, and all the people who struggle for a fair and just world. We invite you to stand with the homeless families, and demand better living conditions, respect and fair treatment. If you would like more information please email Andrew Batcher at abatcher.ni@gmail.com. )% %categories-linked( Affordable Housing, Gentrification, Homelessness Andrew Batcher, call to action, DC General Family Shelter, homeless families, homelessness, June 3 2017, Momauwi Woods, rally, video 
President Elect Aquarius Vann-Ghasri and two other Potomac Gardens residents prepare to cast their votes for the resident council board. Although the official vote count won’t be complete until June, Grasroots DC would like to congratulate Aquarius Vann-Ghasri on her unofficial re-election to the position of president of the Potomac Gardens Resident Council. Vann-Ghasri credits her promotion of what she calls a Resident-Driven Leadership Model. Using this model, she has coordinated many presentations, focus groups and round table discussion based on the concerns and issues identified by Potomac Gardens’ residents. Events coordinated by President Vann-Ghasri include presentations by representatives from Bread for the City’s Legal Clinic, the Office of the Tenant Advocate, the US Attorney General’s Office, Empower DC, etc. She has also brought speakers from Washington, DC’s activist community including Linda Leaks of the Justice Advocacy Alliance, Lucy Murphy of the DC Labor Chorus, Ronald Moten, author of Drinking Muddy Waters and Nisa Harper, author of Confessions of a Crazy Baby Mama. Potomac Gardens has two resident councils. One representing those who live in the family residencies and another for those who live in the senior building. The board for the family residents includes: President – Aquarius Vann-Ghasri Vice President – Diane Hewitt Secretary – Shirley Ford Treasure – Misha Pettway Seargent of Arms – Vacant The board for the seniors’ building includes: President – Martha Moore Vice President – Lionel Adams Treasurer – Claudia McCormack Secretary – Karen Clyburn-Bennett Seargant of Arms – Robert Woodard )% %categories-linked( Communities, Potomac Gardens Potomac Gardens Public Housing Complex, Potomac Gardens Resident Council 
)% %categories-linked( Justice System Adwoa Masozi, incarceration, incarceration rates, justice system, mothers, parents in prison 
Here’s a video I did for the Fair Budget Coalition last year during their State of the District’s Poverty event. In 2013, the FBC–along with a whole host of other organizations and individuals–was trying to convince Mayor Gray and the DC City Council to do something about the lack of affordable housing and the abundance of homelessness within the District of Columbia. The Fair Budget Coalition presented a plan to our elected representatives in which an investment of $4.5 million dollars in DC’s shelter system would ensure sufficient housing for the 300 families in DC General and the families housed in motels during the winter. But is the shelter at DC General closed? No. Clearly, the council and the mayor didn’t listen to the plan. This despite a $417 million budget surplus. There were however significant gains in DC’s budget last year. Funding increased for TANF and some of DC’s Affordable Housing programs. These wins would not have happened without significant effort from DC’s activist and progressive communities. And so it is again this year. The DC Council is in its final stages of negotiating DC’s budget. There are some key programs that are being overlooked and need our immediate support to push Councilmembers to make them a priority. We are asking you to participate in two 1-click email actions to support these programs: 1) Take action to End Homelesseness for more than 800 families and individuals! Two of the most important affordable housing programs that end homelessness are Permanent Supportive Housing (for the chronically homeless) and the Local Rent Supplement Program Tenant Vouchers (for families). Tell the Council to prioritize ending homelessness with housing by taking action here: http://bit.ly/1ti308B 2) Take action for Adult Literacy!* Adult education programs have been underfunded for years, though adult ed has been linked to lower unemployment and poverty rates for adult learners and higher high school graduation rates for the kids of adult learners. We need the Council to fund adult education. Take action for adult literacy here: http://bit.ly/1oXTXHj And finally, the Fair Budget Coalition will be hosting our culminating action of this budget season on Friday! Join us to stand up for safety net programs at: Close the Divide!: A Public Forum on Reducing Inequality in the District of Columbia Friday, May 23rd, 10am-Noon At the Wilson Building: 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW *Bring ID to get in the building *Light lunch provided RSVP Here: http://bit.ly/CloseDivide Rapidly growing inequality in DC is deepening the divides between the rich and poor. But the DC Council can close that divide by investing in anti-poverty programs and affordable housing that would make DC a city for everyone. Come hear stories from people whose lives have been changed by safety net programs & what Councilmembers are doing to support these programs in this year’s budget There will also be the opportunity to learn how to do a Lobby Visit and then participate in one to a Councilmember’s office! Questions? Contact Janelle at janelle@fairbudget.org or 202-986-9580 |
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