[mgj-discuss] DC/Baltimore Spokescouncil for Day after elections protests

[Phipco]

DC/Baltimore spokescouncil for Nov. 3rd day after the elections protests
Thursday October 14th at 7:30pm
GWU Law School L202
Directions: Lerner Hall is located on the corner of 20th and H St. NW 
(2000 H St. NW).  L202 is on the second floor.  Nearest Metro stops are 
Farragut West and GWU/Foggy Bottom on the orange and blue lines.

This meeting is being organized by DC and Baltimore activists working on 
organizing for Nov. 3rd actions.  Everyone in our communities are 
welcome to attend and to be part of the discussion and planning 
process.  Below is a draft call to action.

WHAT IS YOUR BREAKING POINT?

Is it another stolen election? How about feeling, again, that you have 
to vote for the lesser of two evils, that you are locked in to a system 
that does not represent you? Or could it be voting for one of two 
candidates that are pro-war and boast about hunting and killing people?

Among Americans of all political stripes, one word has remained 
sacrosanct for over two hundred years: democracy. However, that word has 
only been meaningful in the context of struggle, not complacency. Over 
two hundred years ago, women, Native Americans, African Americans, and 
many non-property owners could not fully participate in American 
democracy.  It took long social struggle by committed and courageous 
activists to overcome those ills of yesterday.  Unfortunately today, the 
core value of democracy remains under siege, threatened by the very 
interests which claim to protect it.  Despite the Bush Regime's 
rhetorical commitment to democracy in the Middle East, it has rarely 
been more tenuous here at home. The protectors of democracy have never 
been the political elite, but instead a caring and committed population 
that is mobilized to defend its interests.

With both increasing frequency, and increasingly disastrous results, our 
government has sacrificed transparency in favor of opaque, seemingly 
arbitrary policy choices.  On the other side of the democratic equation, 
individual privacy has given way to increasingly pervasive 
surveillance.  Widespread voter disenfranchisement in 2000 remains 
largely uncorrected four years later.  Electronic voting implemented by 
vested corporate interests threatens to impede even the possibility of 
recounts.  Furthermore, residents of the District of Columbia and other 
territories, like Puerto Rico, have no representation in Congress. And, 
as always, minor parties remain systematically excluded form the 
mainstream political process.

We might envision various potential scenarios in the wake of this 
November's election.  Whatever your personal vision of the best case may 
be, take a moment to consider the worst case scenario.  Make no mistake: 
if democracy is to survive the next succession crisis, the People (i.e. 
you, your friends, and your family) must be willing to take ACTION if 
called upon.

Please visit:

1) www.beyondvoting.org <http://www.beyondvoting.org>; and
2) www.ttww.org <http://www.ttww.org> (This Time We're Watching)
3) www.unitedforpeace.org (United for Peace and Justice)

November 3 will witness decentralized, creative, non-violent resistance 
across the nation by patriots demanding democracy here at home.  Another 
round of election fraud, other potential electoral "irregularities," and 
the various structural problems plaguing American democracy -- even when 
operating as intended -- threaten to transform this country into 
precisely the sort of tyranny against which our founding fathers waged a 
revolution for independence.

Organizing is in full swing in several cities, including DC, which 
suffers colonial rule in a more overt form -- devoid even of merely 
formal voting rights, let alone constitutionally guaranteed rights to 
"full and effective participation" -- of any American territory on the 
mainland.  At least 15 distinct local groups are already independently 
mobilizing, with regular spokescouncils beginning this upcoming 
Thursday, 10/14.  Both individuals and groups are invited to 
participate.  We stand strongest when standing together.

If you care, get out of your chair
If you give a damn, take a stand
This is a democracy
supposedly
It's up to you and me