Will He or Won't He? The License Plate Debate

DC Vote is happy to see the buzz around President-elect Obama's limo license plates (okay so maybe we helped get the buzz started!). You know the story: President Clinton put the 'Taxation Without Representation' plates on, President Bush took them off.

We know that Obama is a supporter of DC voting rights. He was a sponsor of the Senate version of the DC Voting Rights Act. But, will he send a message to the millions of inaugural parade by cruising down Pennsylvania Avenue with 'Taxation Without Representation' on his bumper on January 20? Let's hope so. It's not the most significant step but it sends a clear message to the more than have a million District residents that he cares about this issue. And perhaps even more importantly, it sends a message to the millions of tourists who may not have even heard that Taxation Without Representation is alive and well in America's capital.

DC Veterans and Residents Gather for Veterans Day Rally

A crowd of close to 300 joined us at Upper Senate Park to honor our nation's veterans and to demand the vote for DC residents. People signed postcards for President-elect Obama - urging him to move quickly on DC voting rights for the thousands of DC veterans and soldiers. We were joined by active duty military personnel, veterans, students and locals who gathered on a beautiful fall day to demand the vote.

DC Vote Victory Looks Promising in 2009

DC Vote has two new allies in the White House! Both Obama and Biden are on record as supporting DC voting rights. The possibility of victory looks good but that doesn't mean we don't have a tough road ahead. We will need your help! Join us for a Veterans Day Rally on November 11th. We're honoring the nearly 200,000 DC residents who have fought to defend America while being denied democracy at home. Let's send a clear message to Congress, the President-elect, and the nation that we demand the vote! Please join us!

Demand the Vote - The Music Video (Full Version)

We teased the DNC with a sneak preview ... but now, ladies and gentleman, the full length music video "Demand the Vote"




Performed by local artists Joe L. Da Vessel and band Melodic, the video was produced by DC Vote in conjunction with D.A.A.S. Wuz Up Entertainment and directed by Wes at G-Light Films.

For more info, and to download a high resolution version of the video, click here.

Republican Champions of DC Voting Rights

In September 2007, eight Republican senators voted in favor of the DC House Voting Rights Act. They stood up for civil rights and now stand on the right side of history. Senator Olympia Snowe is one of those senators.

The Stars are Aligning

That's right folks, at the DNC there was a good deal of star power coming out to bat for DC Voting Rights and the same is true here in St. Paul.



Jon Voight agreed to snap a picture with Abe. And, while he only did this without stopping his walk down the hall, we like to think that's because he's the kind of guy who doesn't stop until the job gets done.



You can't hear his famous voice through the screen, but here's Kojo Nnamdi (of WAMU 88.5 FM fame) also at the Xcel Energy Center. Eugene taped an interview with Kojo in Denver and then last night in St. Paul.

Taxation Without Representation

It seemed only fitting that yesterday morning's DC delegation breakfast was a one-two-punch of important issues. First, Grover Norquist, the influential conservative who heads the organization Americans for Tax Reform, spoke to the delegation about taxation. Then, Eugene D. Kinlow, DC Vote Outreach Director, presented to the group about taxation without representation. The DC delegation, as previously noted, is already organized around the issue. Many delegates picked up swag bags of palm cards and bumper stickers to pass out to delegates from other states and start conversations throughout the day.

Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina

In April 2007, Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina's Second District voted against the DC House Voting Rights Act. Tonight, he and Abe Lincoln had some good face time.



Maybe now that he knows that the namesake of the Party of Lincoln supports DC voting rights, he'll consider chaning his stance next time around.

In case you missed the Republican You Tube questions...

Last November, a number of local DC Republicans posed questions to the GOP presidential candidates. In case you missed them -- they're all available here.

Rober Kabel, Chairman of the DC Republican Committee, had an especially straightforward question:

Republicans for DC Voting Rights

The DC delegation to the Republican convention has come to the Twin Cities with a clear sense of purpose on DC voting rights. As detailed by the Washington Times and in DC Convention Chair Jim Katdke's blog, they came to Minnesota with a mission to include support for the DC House Voting Rights Act into the national Republican platform. While their efforts were not as successful as they had hoped, all the DC delegates we've met have reiterated their commitment to working for DC voting rights.



Pictured here are (left to right): Eugene Kinlow (DC Vote Outreach Director), Ambassador Tom Korologos, Secretary Ann Korologos, Robert Kabel (Chairman of the DC Republican Committee), and Craig Max.

All the action isn't in hotels and convention halls. Not at all. DC Republican and Alternate Delegate to the convention, Patrick Mara, hit the streets with DC Vote this afternoon. We made friends of the two-legged and four-legged variety. Now that's what I call successful outreach!

A Grand Old Party for DC Voting Rights in the Twin Cities

That's right folks -- DC Vote has landed in the Twin Cities of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We have seen the Rockies and now we are trooping across the prairie, bringing our message of taxation without representation. We spoke to a gander of Democrats last week, and this week, we're chatting up a gaggle of Republicans.

We tried to reach First Lady Laura Bush, but for some reason, this video feed only worked one-way. Alas and anon.

Rally for DC Voting Rights at the Denver Mint

In 2008, the U.S. Mint denied the DC Government's request to print "Taxation Without Representation" on the DC quarter.

Well, let's just say that didn't go over so well. Six months of pent-up frustration at this additional insult to DC residents came spilling out this morning in front of the Denver Mint.

(Councilmembers Jack Evans, Muriel Bowser, and Chairman Vincent Gray in front of the U.S. Mint)

Approximately 150 DC voting rights supporters, DC delegates, and elected officals said their 25 cents at the corner of Cherokee & Colfax streets. Cars passing by honked and a number of pedestrians received wooden nickels which explained that American democracy isn't worth more than a wooden nickel without a vote in Congress.

(A portion of the crowd at the mint)

The photos tell the story better than words.

(Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Councilmember Jack Evans, Council Chairman Vincent Gray, and Mayor Adrian Fenty)

(John Capozzi bringing the passion at the Mint)

What other delegation has got a music video?

DC residents didn't just bring their passion for DC voting rights to Denver. Nope, they brought go-go.

These thumping local beats crossed the plains and hit the Mile High Country with force. In fact, the whole country heard some go-go just before Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton called for passage of the DC House Voting Rights Act on the convention floor. And, not just any go-go. Check out the video below and learn more about the fly "Demand the Vote" single just waiting to be downloaded onto your iPod.

Ekua Boateng - Volunteer Superstar

Once in a while, there comes a volunteer who is no ordinary volunteer. Serving the cause of DC voting rights above and beyond the call of duty, these superstars radiate such immense passion for the cause that all pales in comparison.



Ekua Boateng is one such volunteer. She not only holds the DNC record for petition signatures gathered, but also bagged more swag in less time than thought to be humanly possible. If you think this is excessive superlative, you have yet to meet Ms. Boateng.

DC Vote salutes Ekua for all her help in spreading the word about the denial of democracy in our nation's capital.

16th Street Ped Mall for DC Voting Rights

At 11:15 AM Mountain Standard Time, passersby on the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall of Denver, CO reported being inundated with material calling for an end to taxation without representation in our nation's capital.

Witnesses recalled seeing a throng of eight volunteers in coordinated clothing passing out bumper stickers and soliciting signatures for petitions with unusual rapidity. While these accounts have only been confirmed thus far by the Washington Post and DCist, the DC Vote Blog has secured the following photos from a source which has asked to remain anonymous.

Judging from the photos, it appears that Janice Davis, 2nd Vice President of the National Federation of Democratic Women was one of those successful in their outreach attempts.

Also evident from these photos is one Eugene Dewitt Kinlow appearing to be completely in his element -- outreaching to the world about DC voting rights.

If you have any additional sightings of events of this nature, please send tips to the DC Vote blog forthwith.

The Republican at the DNC

Famous Republican Abe Lincoln hit the streets of the Democratic Convention today. MSNBC took notice. And so did Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (no doubt he agreed to take the picture because of his strong support of DC voting rights).



But there's nothing to illustrate the bipartisan bonhomie of DC voting rights than posing with plushie political mascots!

All Hands on Deck in Denver

With the first day of the convention in full swing, delegates and friends from DC all came together this morning to focus on DC voting rights. The DC delegation's breakfast not only took the theme, but taxation without representation swag was being distributed at the DC delegation office left and right. Volunteers were priming other volunteers to hit the streets.

And hit the streets they did.

Uber volunteer Karen Rose is seen here getting a petition signature on the 16th street pedestrian mall.

We've already heard reports that DC vote gear is popping up across Denver and it's only been one day. Stay tuned for more canvassing reports.

DC Vote Music Video to Premiere at 2008 DNC!

Stay tuned to DNC coverage for a short-format version of DC Vote's music video for the song, "Demand the Vote"!

The video will play before a speech by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton on DC voting rights on Tuesday, August 26, at 5:15 PM EST.

DC Voting Rights Takes Flight

Denver International Airport had no idea what was about to hit. Frontier Airlines had packed a plane of people headed to the DNC and whithin the fuselage was a powerful punch of DC voting rights supporters including none other than House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD, and pictured below).

But wait, that's not all. This flight of freedom also included Shadow Senator Mike Brown, who, we hear, is attending his eigth convention. Yup, count 'em, 8!

Senator Brown set the bar high, and Eugene now has a goal to attain. But first, people from all over the country are going to hear from these folks and many more about DC voting rights.

DC Vote Taking DC Voting Rights a Mile High

Tomorrow, Eugene and I will be taking DC Voting Rights a mile high (a.k.a traveling to the Democratic National Convention to spread the word about the denial of democracy in our nation's capital to thousands of politically engaged Americans).

We'll be in Denver with more than 70 people who have signed up to volunteer and help us canvass with petitions, pass out bumper stickers, and generally spread the word.

If you'll be in Denver for the DNC, we'd love to see you. Check out our calendar of events to figure out where to meet up.

We'll be posting through the Convention. And we may even have some info on this Abe Lincoln character the Washington Post was talking about...

Also, if you'll be headed to the RNC, let us know and we'll be in touch when we finalize plans for taking DC voting rights Gemini-style to the Twin Cities.

I Gave Stephen Colbert a DC Vote T-Shirt

That's right. Here I am with Peter, the head writer for the Colbert Report who is going to give Stephen our DC Vote shirt. I have to say, one thing that funny people have in common - they're all really nice, too. I guess making people laugh keeps you in a relatively good mood!

Politics is Funny...and Strange

So, I did it. I sort of, kind of, successfully inserted the issue of DC voting rights into a panel of real comedians and real political comedy experts. Barring one crazy woman who took her 15-seconds of fame to "ask DC Vote a question" while actually just berating one of the presidential candidates, it went off without a hitch. Here I am with my new pal, Eddie, the lead writer for Late Night with David Letterman. Yeah, I'm kind of a big deal.

What do politics and funny have in common?

Heck if I know! But, I better figure it out QUICK. T-minus one day until hell freezes over and I join forces with the co-creator of the Daily Show, writers for the Washington Post, the Onion, the Tonight Show and the Colbert Report for the "Politics is Funny" panel. "Hey, have you heard the one about how Congress is denying DC residents the right to vote?" Ha, ha, hee, hee. Hmmm.

In DC, We Demand the Vote!

Supporters young and old came out to help us shoot our first-ever Demand the Vote music video last Saturday, August 2! With the help of local musician, Joe L. Da Vessel, and a crew from D.A.A.S. Wuz Up Entertainment, we brought the house down. Click here to listen to Demand the Vote.

"Outreaching" in the Big Easy

DC Vote's outreach director, Eugene D. Kinlow, is bringing the message to elected officials at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

He, along with a delegation from the DC City Council, is spreading the message of DC voting rights to more than 6,000 conference participants. DC Vote will even host a reception during the conference (sidebar: Eugene will use any excuse to break out his finest designer suits!).

Read more about it, here and stay tuned to blogland for future photos and updates!

Getting Carpal Tunnel for DC Voting Rights

OMG. I can't feel my right arm. You should really appreciate this post because I'm using two fingers on my left hand to type it. On the plus side, we're going to have some awesome new buttons for a conference in New Orleans next week. Thanks to a very special button maker which just arrived yesterday. Ahhh...sweet innovation. Stay tuned for the lowdown on DC Vote's trip to New Orleans!

Now that's dedication!

One DC Vote supporter took the message of voting rights on the road, literally! Check out how one DC native kept the dream alive even after he moved to Ohio.

DC Vote and the Urban League Meets with Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement

Owen Brooks has been an advocate for DC voting rights before our own DC Vote staff was even born! In 1950, he marched from Boston to the Capitol Building to demand the vote for DC residents.

Chatting Up DC Vote with a Representative from the JSU Political Science Department

We had a fantastic meeting with Dr. Michelle Deardorff, Associate Professor of Political Science at Jackson State University.

Bringin' the Pain on Othor Cain's NPR News Program

Ilir of DC Vote and Derrick from the Greater Washington Urban League talk about DC voting rights on a popular, local NPR program in Jackson.

On the Road Again. This time to Mississippi!

DC Vote is heading out to the states again. Next stop - Jackson, Mississippi. Our executive director, Ilir Zherka, and outreach director, Eugene D. Kinlow, will visit Jackson from June 2-4 to meet with labor groups, media, students and advocacy organizations. Along the way, they may even snap a few good photos for our blog.

Let's give these new bloggers a little encouragement, shall we? Make sure you post a few of your own comments. And, if you know of anyone we should be in touch with during the trip down south...let us know!

Working with Native Vote and Affiliated Tribes to Spread the Message

I met with the Native Vote Committee in Grand Mound, WA to talk about DC voting rights and the importance of voting. The committee passed a resolution in support of DC Vote and the DC Voting Rights Act. Thanks to Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and to the Native Vote co-chairs, Theresa Sheldon (Tulalip Tribe) and Mathew Tomaskin (Yakama Nation)!

Loaded Orygun Blogger Stands Up for DC Voting Rights!

Read this insightful post about DC voting rights and the Oregon delegation's support, or lack thereof. Our thanks to TJ, pictured center, for his continued support and thorough investigation of the issue!

Missoula Residents Lead the Fight with Protest at Local Event Featuring Sen. Max Baucus

Missoula residents and DC Vote supporters gathered on Saturday, May 3, at the University of Montana where Sen. Max Baucus was a featured speaker. Carrying signs supporting DC voting rights, they even had the opportunity to speak with the Senator directly and voice their concerns about DC's disenfranchisement. Thank you, Missoula!

Show us your DC Vote pride!

DC resident and Federal City Council Director, Jacque D. Patterson, wore DC Vote's "Let Washington Speak" t-shirt while running in the Georgia Marathon. Way to go, Jacque!

Have a photo with your DC Vote t-shirt or bumper sticker that you'd like to share? We'd love to post it. Send it to jquinto@dcvote.org.

Thank you, Oregon!

It was a whirlwind week for DC Vote's Team Oregon. No one can say that our national public awareness campaign is not ambitious! Not only did we meet with students at five colleges and universities, we networked with everyone from the Portland Business Alliance, AFL-CIO, UFCW and the Urban League of Portland to the NAACP, League of Women Voters and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians. And, that's just to name a few!

Everyone had invaluable insights on spreading the message of DC voting rights, far and wide. Thanks, Oregon! This is just the begining of a beautiful partnership.

Oregon: people, places and meetings galore (oh, and a few great meals!)