SUMMER 2008www.dcvote.orgVoice

Councilmember Kwame Brown joins supporters at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade.

Ilir Zherka and DC Vote staff celebrate with Aviva Kempner at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards.

Taxation Without Representationgoes national with trips into the states.

Students at Lewis and Clark Law Schooljoin the movement for DC voting rights.

DC Vote supporter James G. Hill has a globaltake on the issue in the French West Indies.

Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nation’s Capital

From the Executive DirectorDear Friend:

Founded ten years ago, DC Vote is a vibrant, innovative organization that hasinstitutionalized the DC voting rights movement. The pursuit of full congressionalvoting representation requires hard work and ingenuity, and over the past months DC Vote staff and our supporters have pushed the envelope. Friends, old and new,are thinking creatively about their involvement in this critical civil rights movementand are taking action.

Jackson, Mississippi was the latest stop in the ongoing DC Vote road trip into thestates, a campaign to educate local leaders and concerned citizens in key statesabout our efforts to pass the DC Voting Rights Act (DCVRA), and to engage them in the DC voting rights movement. Since January, DC Vote staff have traveled toMississippi, New Hampshire, Montana, Washington and Oregon.

We have met some truly remarkable people from varied walks of life. Mr. OwenBrooks, the head of the Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement of Mississippi,hitchhiked from Boston to Washington, DC, more than fifty years ago to demonstratefor DC voting rights at the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Mr. Brooks is now trying to helpus pass the bill. Just weeks ago, Ms. Betty Wing of Montana made a similar trek tothe nation’s capital to speak with her Senator about the importance of spreadingdemocracy to DC.

In fact, many of our fellow citizens are leading the fight for DC voting rights. Missoula residents staged a protest outside an event featuring Senator Max Baucus,who voted against our bill last year. Dr. Ron Mason, President of Jackson StateUniversity—the largest employer in Jackson, Mississippi—personally contactedSenator Thad Cochran to urge him to support the DCVRA. Student leaders fromPortland State University sent letters of support to their own Senator Gordon Smith.In May, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing seven states, signed a resolution pledging support for DC voting rights. As a result of our travels, we aremaking real progress.

Our goal is to bring this crucial legislation up for a vote this summer.

You can help make this goal a reality. Please consider making a contribution to DCVote today so that we can continue to push the envelope. Please, also considerlending a hand to spread the word to friends and family out in the states, which wemake simple on our award-winning Web site, www.dcvote.org.

This is a difficult fight, but as evidenced by the enthusiasm of citizens from acrossthe country, this is a fight that we can win. As we prepare to mark Ten Years Together working to end Taxation Without Representation, more and moreimpassioned Americans are rallying around this cause. It’s all about hard work andforward thinking. And, with a little help from our friends both locally and in the states,we can achieve our goal and get this bill passed.

Sincerely,

Ilir Zherka, Executive Director

Voice SUMMER 2008 • www.dcvote.org 2

Jaline Quinto enlists the help of a big supporter in Missoula, Montana.

Kevin Kiger connects with Missoulians at Forward Montana’s event.

Members of the Butte, MT, Chamber of Commerce sign onto DC Vote’s petition.

Nell Schaffer spends time with students at Reed College.

DC Vote Heads into the States for PublicAwareness Campaign

Since the beginning of the year, we’vehad a whirlwind of activity on ourPublic Awareness Campaign!

In January, Kevin Kiger and JalineQuinto traveled to western Montanato meet with more than 100constituents and educate them aboutDC’s lack of representation. DC Voteand our message were well-receivedby the friendly voters of Montana! Todate, the residents of Big Sky Countryhave been active and engaged in themovement—from writing letters-to-the-editor and requesting meetingswith Sen. Max Baucus, to staging aprotest outside a Missoula eventwhere the Senator was speaking.

DC Vote’s “Team Oregon” took thestate by storm in March. In just oneweek, Nell Schaffer, Eugene D. Kinlowand Jaline met with more than 450Oregonians. Not only did DC Votemingle with students at five collegesand universities, they networked with the Portland Business Alliance,AFL-CIO, UFCW, the Urban League of Portland, the NAACP, League ofWomen Voters and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.

Ilir Zherka and Eugene, accompaniedby Derrick Acey of the Greater

Eugene Kinlow reaches out to the League of Women Voters of Portland, OR.

DC Vote staff go old school on Oregon college campuses.

Washington Urban League, began the month of June in Jackson,Mississippi, where they connectedwith local education, civil rights,religious and business leaders. Ilir and Eugene linked up with localmedia, spreading the word tothousands of Mississippians with aninterview on NPR affiliate WJSU-FM.They also met with bloggers and localAfrican American newspaper TheJackson Advocate.

From our trips to the states to anational advertising campaign, DCVote is working overtime to spreadthe message of DC’s injustice. Visitour “DC Vote on the Road” blog atblog.dcvote.org for more. Thanks tothe DC government for making theseactivities possible.

Oregon StudentsAdvocate for DC Voting Rights

During the March trip to Oregon, ouroutreach team visited five collegesand universities, including: Lewis andClark College, Lewis and Clark LawSchool, Portland State University,University of Oregon and ReedCollege. DC Vote looks forward toworking with a number of studentleaders who are now ardentsupporters of DC voting rights.

Voice3 Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nation’s Capital

Ilir Zherka and Eugene Kinlow meet with the Rev. Hosea Hines in Jackson, MS.

Constituents of the States Participate in Call-In Days

Montana residents phoned it in on March 13 during a statewide call-in day to the DC office of Sen. Max Baucus. These advocates voiced their support for DC voting rights and urged passage of the DC Voting Rights Act, garneringstatewide media attention in the process.

Later, on Tax Day, April 15, constituents from Oregon, Nebraska, Mississippi,New Hampshire and Kansas participated in DC Vote’s national call-in day toprotest taxation without representation in our nation’s capital.

DC Vote staff meet with Sandy Rowe (L), editor of the Oregonian.

Representatives from the DC City Council and ShadowDelegation meet with Rep. Cindy Rosenwald in New Hampshire.

Missoula residents and DC Vote supporters stage a protestoutside an event where Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) was speaking.

Ilir Zherka and Derrick Acey of the Greater Washington Urban League interview on Jackson’s NPR station.

Jaline Quinto meets with the Native Vote Committee at the Affiliated Tribes Conference in Washington state.

Ad Campaign Goes National

As part of our national public awareness efforts, DC Vote is launchingan advertising campaign aimed at engaging thousands of constituentsfrom the states. We’re reaching out to the rest of the nation through acustomized Web site and Internet and blog ads. In early June, welaunched a creative animation called The Dr. Bill Show. It pokes a littlefun at President George W. Bush (hey, he did threaten to veto the DCVoting Rights Act). But more importantly, it educates people about DC’sdisenfranchisement in an innovative, fresh way. With these powerfultools, we are spreading the message of DC’s denial of democracy tomillions of Americans who have a voice and a vote in Congress.

Stay tuned—you’ll continue to see our ads on a Web site and in an e-mail box near you!

Voice SUMMER 2008 • www.dcvote.org 4

Foundations Award Critical Funding to DC Vote

This spring, DC Vote was honored with severaldistinguished awards and grants.

The Public Welfare Foundation, which helped fund lastyear’s Voting Rights March, continues to offer incrediblesupport with a $50,000 grant to continue our work.

We are also pleased to report that the CrossCurrents Foundation, a new DC Vote supporter,has provided $20,000 to help us continue our Student Outreach Program.

With the help of our generous foundation partners, DC Vote will continue to expand and enhance ourefforts to end the Senate filibuster of the DC VotingRights Act!

DC Wards Sign on to “Adopt a Senator” Project

Five DC Democratic Ward organizations are on boardwith DC Vote's Adopt a Senator project—an advocacytool designed to engage, inform and activate leaders inthe states who can help pass the DC Voting Rights Act.

Ward leaders will facilitate a unique, ongoingrelationship between District residents and residents oftarget states where Senators are filibustering the bill.This dynamic advocacy campaign encourages Wardteams to take direct ownership in developing a strategyfor outreach to the target states.

For more information, contact Eugene D. Kinlow atekinlow@dcvote.org.

DC Vote Opens New Doors to Larger Office and More Staff

Friends, family and colleagues joined DC Vote staff fora celebration in our new office at 2000 P Street, NW, on the evening of Thursday, February 28. Guestswarmed to the larger space with lively conversation,good food and great company.

Thank you to all of our supporters for welcoming usinto our new home in Dupont Circle!

Jews United for Justice Discuss VotingRights at 7th Annual Labor Seder

Jews United for Justice celebrated the 7th AnnualLabor Seder on April 15. This year’s Seder focused onvoting rights for the District of Columbia. Guestsenjoyed refreshments and lively discussion about theinjustices of taxation without representation.

Each year the Labor Seder highlights a currentworkers’ rights struggle and brings together the Jewishand labor communities in a shared commitment tosocial and economic justice.

“Taxed Without Representation” Day Volunteers Raise the Issue

DC Vote staff joined numerous supporters on April 15 for Tax Day festivities. Volunteers met at Union Station and the Dirksen Senate Office Building todeposit their “wooden nickels” and engage people onCapitol Hill about taxation without representation. The event concluded with sign-waving at the Capitol Hillpost office as thousands of tax-payers came to paytheir dues.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time insupport of DC voting rights!

Voice5 Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nation’s Capital

Josh Bumpus and Eugene D. Kinlow joinvolunteers for Tax Day 2008 activities.Staff, Boa

rd and guests celeb

rate DC Vote’s

open house at 200

0 P Street, NW.

Tax Day 2008 volun

teers demand the v

ote

outside the Capitol

Hill post office.

Participants celebrate the fight for DC voting rights at the Labor Seder hosted by Jews United for Justice.

DC Vote leads a rally outside Dirksen Senate Office Building.Volunteer

s hand out ‘I Dema

nd the Vote’ gear a

t Capital Pride 200

8.

Voice SUMMER 2008 • www.dcvote.org 6

SSttuuddeenntt OOuuttrreeaacchh HHeeaattss UUppDC High School Students Lend a Hand at DC Vote OfficesA group of fifteen student volunteers fromGeorgetown Day School (GDS) offered theirservices to the cause during one of our busiest timesof the year. These dedicated youngsters assembledmore than 2,000 Tax Day flyers in the DC Voteoffice before taking the message out to localbusinesses with “I Demand the Vote” signs. Theyalso logged in several days of phone banking atCommon Cause’s office, reaching out to constituentsin our target states.

We’d like to thank all of our GDS volunteers for a job well done!

Cesar Chavez Fellow

Teams Up With DC Vote

DC Vote is pleased to welcome Allen

Rogers, a junior from Cesar Chavez

Public Charter School for Public Pol

icy.

Allen has joined the team for the

spring and summer as part of a

fellowship geared toward engaging hi

gh

school students in the DC voting rig

hts

movement. He has been working closel

y

with Outreach Associate Nell Schaffe

r

to coordinate a number of student

activities. He has even visited Cesa

r

Chavez’s Parkside campus to speak wi

th

ninth-grade students about his work

with DC Vote.

We are thrilled to have Allen workin

g

with us!

‘Students for DC Vote’

Spreads MessageOur student outreach efforts are h

eating up with some

fresh additions to the Students for DC Vote network!

New student chapters are demanding the vote at Wichita

State University in Kansas and Howard University here in

Washington, DC. With this ever-expanding circle of

representatives, students are hosting events, distributing

information and spreading the word about taxation

without representation at colleges and universities across

the country!

If you or other students you know are ready to take up

the cause on your college campus, get in touch with

Nell Schaffer today at nschaffer@dcvote.org.

Local Students to Prove the Pen IS Mightier Than the SwordAs our national student network continues toexpand, so do our student campaigns andinitiatives. Our own Nell Schaffer is spearheading a new student Letters-to-the-Editor campaign,which gives public school students an outlet to voice their own concerns about DC’s lack ofdemocracy! Coupled with the specially-designedLesson Plan for Teachers in DC Public Schools, we are developing powerful tools to providestudents the opportunity to learn, ask questionsand act on this important issue.

Students at Bell Multicultural High School show their spirit.

A student from Cesar Chavez Public CharterSchool Parkside campus makes her voice heard.

A class at Cesar Chavez Public CharterSchool rallies around the movement.

Nell Schaffer visits with students andeducators at Friendship Public Charter School.

Voice7 Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nation’s Capital

Extra! Extra!DC Vote’s recent efforts out in the states and here inthe District have inspired some incredible coverage forDC voting rights in media outlets across the countryand around the globe!

WAMU Radio (NPR) – January 4th“A Passion for Protest” by Rosalind Jordan

Montana Standard – February 6th“D.C. Residents Deserve Vote” Editorial

Roll Call – February 11th“Primaries a Forum for D.C. Rights” by Elizabeth Brotherton

The Oregon Daily Emerald – March 31st“D.C. Representation Important for all U.S. Citizens” by Jaline Quinto

The Eagle (American University) – April 14th“Students Join Forces With DC Vote” by Rachel Trainer

Jackson Free Press – June 11th“[Dish] Not Enjoying Democracy” by Adam Lynch

Save the Date for Champions of Democracy 2008!

2008 marks DC Vote’s tenth anniversary, and this fall weare celebrating Tens Years Together! Save the eveningof Wednesday, October 22, 2008, to help DC Votehonor this year's Champion of Democracy, philanthropistand DC Vote founder Daniel Solomon.

Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008Location: Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NWTime: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

DC Vote’s little supporter at the Celebrating the Young Child festivities.

The beauties of the University of the District of Columbia demand the vote.

Brigham Young University Students stand up for DC voting rights.

Greater Washington Urban LeagueRecognizes DC Vote for Leadership

Ilir Zherka, DC Vote Executive Director, was chosen as one of two recipients of the Whitney M. Young Jr.Leadership Award from the Greater Washington Urban League on March 26.

The Leadership Award is presented to individuals “whose vision, commitment, extraordinary service and exceptional leadership established a legacy of positivity and major accomplishments for African Americans and the community at large inWashington, DC.”

Share Your Stories and Photos with DC Vote!

Do you have a great vacation photo of you in your“Taxation Without Representation” t-shirt? Share itwith us! We’ve launched a new feature called “Out andAbout” on www.dcvote.org. Just click on the “Out andAbout” graphic on any of the Web pages to submit yourown content. This new feature makes it easy for you toupload your photos and share a little bit about why yousupport DC voting rights!

A DC Vote supporter shows her pride at Mount Kilimanjaro.

Voice SUMMER 2008 • www.dcvote.org 8Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDWashington, DCPermit No. 2141

2000 P Street, NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20036Special Thanks & Recognition

We are proud to welcome Mr. Marc H. Morial, Presidentand CEO of the National Urban League, to the DC VoteBoard of Directors.

A warm welcome to Kate Halloran, DC Vote’s newAdministrative Assistant! Hailing from Connecticut,she’ll be a fresh face in the movement to end taxationwithout representation. Always up for a challenge, Katewill also pursue a law degree at American University inthe evenings.

DC Vote would like to thank our many supporters wholend a hand with event assistance and pro bonoservices. Thank you to the Blue Mountain RetreatCenter, Common Cause, the Greater Washington UrbanLeague, Jews United for Justice, the Leadership

Conference on Civil Rights, the League of WomenVoters, Patton Boggs LLP, New Media Mill, D.A.A.S WuzUp Entertainment and DC Comedyfest.

Special thanks to Bob Hoffman, Jewel Fenzi, BettyWing, Blaire Postman and the Affiliated Tribes ofNorthwest Indians.

A very special thank you to Andy Shallal for helping tomake our office space into a home for the DC votingrights movement with his beautiful mural.

Lastly, thank you to all of our new friends in Montana,Oregon, Washington and Mississippi, for their warmthand incredible support!

DC Vote is a 501 (c)(3) educational and advocacy organizationwhose mission is to secure full voting representation in Congress for the residents of the District of Columbia.

The Voice—DC Vote’s NewsletterEditor: Kevin KigerAssociate Editor: Josh BumpusContributors: Jaline Quinto & Eli ZigasCopyright © 2008 DC Vote