Dueling Democracy
Tonight you have your choice of two events by local political groups occurring simultaneously a few blocks apart. First, DC Vote is celebrating the call by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for congressional representation for DC residents:
DC Vote is dedicated to bringing in new faces, supporters and voluteers to our cause as well as giving our current supporters an opportunity to join the DC Vote staff and fellow supporters in an informal setting. We want the community to have a chance to check us out and learn about our volunteer programs and advocacy efforts.
DC Vote will hold it’s next “American Democracy for America’s Capital” Monthly Happy Hour on Wednesday, July 6 at 6:30 PM at the brand new Bar Pilar at 1833 14th Street, NW (on 14th Street between S & T Streets, NW). The closest Metro stop is U Street/Cardozo on the Green Line.
To RSVP or get more information about the happy hours, contact DC Vote Program Assistant Zainab Akbar by e-mail at zakbar@dcvote.org.
Starting half an hour later (at 7) and a couple of blocks away (at Ben’s Chili Bowl) is the monthly meeting of DC for Democracy — which features a representative from DC Vote:
Hot on the heels of Independence Day, our July MeetUp will focus on freedom here at home. Guest speakers include DC’s Shadow Representative to the US House, Ray Browne. What does a shadow representative do? And what does this have to do with voting rights? Come and find out.
Also with us will be a representative from DC Vote, a non-profit organization that works toward educating the public both here at home and around the country on the need for DC voting rights.
We’ll also roll out a new subcommittee to focus on DC Voting Rights, and we’ll give an update on our Northern Virginia Election Action plans.
DC for Democracy’s MeetUps always draw a crowd, so don’t miss out — make a date to meet some cool new friends on our combined July 6th MeetUp at:
- Ben’s Chili Bowl — 1213 U St NW (Metro Green Line: U Street) — RSVP today!
Attend one or both, and suggest that next month the groups coordinate their schedules.
And of course, don’t forget DCDL’s Reading Liberally discussion of Orwell’s 1984 at Mark and Orlando’s (2020 P St NW, Dupont Circle Metro) tomorrow at 6:30.
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Thanks for spreading the word about these events. DC for Democracy has been holding our monthly meetings (the first Wed of each month) for over two years running. When DC Vote recently announced starting happy hour plans, we reminded them of this fact. They are looking to change their new happy hour plans for upcoming months. But please don’t take this as a duel between groups. In fact, Kevin Kiger from DC Vote will be attending our MeetUp, and then we’ll all be heading to their happy hour when the MeetUp ends around 8:30 pm. We are different and distinct groups, but our missions overlap when it comes to full voting representation, and that’s where we try to partner for greater success.
—Charles • 2:17 pm
Thanks, Charles. The reference to “dueling” is just a joky headline, and I know that DC4D’s meetups have been on the first Wednesday for a long time.
It’s true that the groups are quite different. DC Vote isn’t only for progressives (anyone who supports DC voting rights is welcome, even conservative Republicans) and focuses on its single issue, whereas DC for Democracy has a broader and progressive mission. But there is some overlap between memberships, and I’m hoping that the scheduling conflicts can be minimized in the future. It sounds like that’s happening.
No criticism of either group or their relationship was intended.
—Keith • 2:29 pm