Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nations Capital

Voice
From the Executive Director
Dear Friend: At DC Vote, it is our business to make the impossible a reality. We work to right one of our nations oldest wrongs, and we do so in the face of partisan wrangling, misinformation and ignorance. We take on the impossible every day. The Senate filibuster of the DC House Voting Rights Act (S. 1257) on September 18, 2007, was a terrible affront to the very democratic values that our country champions abroad. The hypocrisy of a small group of Senators may have delayed us in our mission, but our fight has just begun. These past six months have shown a mere glimpse of what can be achieved when the people of a diverse community come together around a worthy goal. As a united community, we have the power to challenge the status quo and create our own reality, one where tax-paying Americans have a say in their government. We have the means to create a community where every voice is heard, and American values ring true for all citizens. Washington, DC, will be the vibrant, enfranchised capital city that we all know it can be. And it starts with us. Since the Senate vote, we have kicked our advocacy and outreach efforts into high gear. From rallies on Capitol Hill to tea parties on the Potomac, we have spared no opportunity to ask the tough questions and inform people here and around the country about Taxation Without Representation in the nations capital. As we continue to work for change here in the District, we are also expanding our efforts in the states with a renewed public awareness campaign. The following pages demonstrate the incredible achievements of our vibrant voting rights community, and the new horizons that we are moving toward. DC Vote greatly appreciates the commitment of our thousands of supporters and their tireless dedication to positive change. Join with us and lend your voice to a growing rally cry: End Taxation Without Representation! Lets make this a very Happy New Year! Sincerely,

WIN TER 2 0 0 7 www.dcvote.org

Kevin Kiger and Ilir Zherka share a moment with their partners from LCCR at COD 2007.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton joins Navy veteran Sam McCoy and other DC vets at a Senate rally.

Daniel Solomon, Bruce Spiva, Aviva Kempner and Mark Schaeffer at an IPS reception honoring DC Vote.

American University students endure a rainy afternoon to collect petitions on U Street.

Ilir Zherka Executive Director

Aviva Kempner and Eli Zigas transform into American colonials at the DC Vote Tea Party on the Potomac.

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WINTER 2007 www.dcvote.org

DC Voting Rights Act Comes to the Senate Floor

Strong Vote Sign of Victory to Come
On September 18, in a procedural vote on the DC House Voting Rights Act (S. 1257), a small group of Senators blocked the bill from being debated with a vote of 57 yeas42 neas. Sixty votes are required to overcome their filibuster. Unconscionably, a minority led by Senators Mitch McConnell and Trent Lott prevented the majority from conducting an up-or-down vote on the bill. While DC Vote is disappointed that these Senators are standing in the way of democracy for the nearly 600,000 tax-paying Americans living in Washington, DC, we remain encouraged that the Senate will pass this bill during this Congress.
Sponsors of the DC Vote bill hold a press conference after the Senate vote.

A majority of Senators saw the wisdom of granting full voting representation in the House for District residents. Were knocking on the door. Well be back. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), Co-Sponsor of the DC House Voting Rights Act We will not give up. We will not stand by while our young men and women are fighting to ensure that the people of Baghdad can vote, while the people of DC remain disenfranchised.... Democracy has not been dissuaded todayjust delayed. This is the right thing to do. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Majority Leader Too many have done heroic work to do anything now but keep on and rejoice that we came so close and use the momentum that is still with us, to go the rest of the way. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Co-Sponsor of the DC House Voting Rights Act.

Kathy and Al Schmidt join other veterans on Capitol Hill to end the filibuster.

For the first time in 30 years, we secured the vote of a strong majority of Senators in favor of DC voting rights. Eight Republicans supported the bill and only one Democrat opposed it. DC Vote has refocused its outreach and advocacy efforts in response to the September vote and will continue to work towards ending the filibuster before the end of the 110th Congress.

Hippos Follow Hypocrites

In the spirit of Halloween, DC Vote sent hippo-clad activists to events in October that included appearances from Senators (and presidential candidates) Sam Brownback and John McCain. Volunteers made sure that the Senators, their staff and the media didnt leave the events without hearing chants of Stop the Hippocrisy, We Want Democracy!

Young Suffragist Hana Zherka sings for Senators with DC Vote supporters.

Supporters cheer for an end to Taxation Without Representation at the Georgetown waterfront.

Hippo Eli Zigas milks the movement with a supporter.

Ilir Zherka declares DC Votes New Year strategy with Del. Norton and city officials.

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Public Awareness Campaign Goes National

As part of our public awareness campaign, DC Vote is launching an aggressive strategy to inform Americans across the country about DCs denial of full voting representation. In the coming months, we will be sending our message out and traveling to a number of target states where members of the Senate are filibustering the DC House Voting Rights Act, including Oregon, Montana and Virginia. We have already begun our advocacy efforts in Montana with the launch of our online constituent tool kitthat enables residents to reach out to Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) in support of DC Voting Rights. We will also continue to work closely with our coalition partners to identify residents in our target states to work with us to send the message to end the filibuster of the DC House Voting Rights Act (S. 1257).

Outreach Director Eugene Kinlow delivers crates of tea to warm supporters.

The Revolution is Still Brewing on the Potomac

Voting rights activists joined local elected officials on Sunday, December 16 for the DC Vote Tea Party on the Potomac River. Gathering at Georgetown Waterfront Park on a wintry afternoon, nearly 100 supporters commemorated the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party with songs, chants and a symbolic reenact of the famous revolutionary demonstration. DC Vote activists were joined by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC councilmember Carol Schwartz, and the DC shadow delegation. Warmed by orange pekoe tea and high spirits, these tax-paying Americans sent a clear message to President Bush and Congress: Give Us the Vote Now!

DC Veterans Rally for Voting Rights

District veterans, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and other DC Vote supporters came together for a noontime rally on Wednesday November 7 to demand that Senators honor the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and bring democracy to Washington, DC! The vets held a press conference with local media, offering their own perspectives on disenfranchisement before demonstrating at the Dirksen Senate Office Building. They waived signs and chanted We Demand the Vote, garnering the attention of tourists and staffers before they met with Senate offices to hand out materials in person. These honored Americans deserve the vote, and they made sure their voices were heard!

More than 100 activists turn out to commemorate the Boston Tea Party with DC Vote.

DC Young Suffragists make their voices heard at a rally.

Andy Shallal and Lynn Faught call for an end to the hippo-crisy.

DC Vote interns Molly McArdle and Josh Bumpus demand the vote with Lateefah Mims.

Mayor Fenty, Congressman Davis and Ilir Zherka discuss voting rights at COD 2007.

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Democracy Rising at Champions of Democracy 2007
DC Vote held its 2007 Champions of Democracy Awards Reception on the evening of Tuesday, October 23 at the National Music Center at the Carnegie Library Building. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the DC City Council, members of the business community and other esteemed guests came together to honor a group of men and women that represents the very best of dedication to democracy and American excellence.

WINTER 2007 www.dcvote.org

Clockwise: Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) discusses the voting rights movement. The late Hilda Mason accepts her award for a life of outstanding commitment. Royal Kennedy Rodgers delivers remarks to an esteemed audience.

U.S. Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA)

A longtime champion of DC voting rights, Congressman Tom Davis is the original sponsor of the DC House Voting Rights Act of 2007. Working with Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC Vote and the DC voting rights coalition, he has been instrumental in pushing the bill through the House of Representatives and continues to do so now in the Senate.

Royal Kennedy Rodgers & Johnathan Rodgers

Royal Kennedy Rodgers has supported DC Vote from its beginning. As a volunteer, she worked diligently to ensure that students learned about DC voting rights and the important role that voting plays in Americas democracy. Johnathan Rodgers is president and CEO of TV One, the entertainment and lifestyle cable television network targeting adult African-American viewers. Through TV One, Johnathan has educated millions of Americans about Congress denial of voting representation for DC residents.

The Honorable Hilda Mason & Charles Mason

Hilda and Charles Mason are known throughout the city for their ceaseless support for progressive issues, including human and civil rights, socio-economic opportunity, quality education, affordable and accessible housing, public transportation, and health care, and statehood for the District of Columbia. They left an indelible mark on our community during their lifetimes, and they will be sorely missed. Thank you to all who lent their warmth to this incredible event!

Ilir Zherka calls on hippo-crites to end the Senate filibuster.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton presents Rep. Tom Davis with his award.

Bruce Spiva and Ilir Zherka enjoy the evening with Champions of Democracy honorees.

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DC Vote is deeply grateful to our many supporters for their generosity throughout the year and especially to the following sponsors of our Champions of Democracy 2007 Awards Reception.

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New Students Take First Lesson in DC Voting Rights
The Discover DC and Freshman Experience programs at American University teamed up with DC Vote in August to educate incoming freshmen about disenfranchisement in Washington, DC. Summer interns Molly McArdle and Josh Bumpus met with groups of 20-30 college students fresh from the states to give them their first lesson on life in the District. Over three days, students collected petition signatures from residents on U Street and canvassed local businesses with literature. Their final lesson was on Capitol Hill, where they demonstrated their knowledge of DC voting rights by meeting with their Senators to advocate for passage of the DC House Voting Rights Act. Congratulations to all of these new Washingtonians on a grade well-earned!

WINTER 2007 www.dcvote.org

District Residents Stakes Claim to Democracy at Conference

DC Vote and FairVote cosponsored the Claim Democracy conference from November 9th11th. Executive Director Ilir Zherka and Outreach Director Eugene Kinlow took the opportunity to advocate for DC voting rights with national, state and local leaders from around the country. Volunteers also tabled with pamphlets and materials to get the word out about disenfranchisement.

Its All in the Family!

This fall, DC Vote welcomed some fierce additions to our staff!

Jaline QuintoCommunications Associate

Jaline Quinto is originally from the other Washingtonthe state. Having worked on both political campaigns and capital campaigns, she will be honing DC Votes messages and helping us spread the word about DC voting rights across the country.

DC Vote Mingles at Community Festivals

As summer turned to fall, voting rights advocates continued to engage the local community at neighborhood festivals. Adams Morgan Day and Fiesta DC on Mt. Pleasant Street brought out thousands of festival-goers to experience the flavor of these vibrant communities with food and fun. DC Vote staff and volunteers greeted passersby with information at tables full of stickers and postcards. New members joined the organization, and many old friends stopped by to offer encouragement. Thanks to all our volunteers who donated their time at these events! Well see you next year!

Nell SchafferOutreach Associate

As a DC Vote volunteer, Nell co-founded Students for DC Vote and served as one of its first national campus coordinators. Now a full-time Outreach Associate, Nell plans to disseminate the DC Vote Lesson Plan, expand Students for DC Vote and assist with new outreach efforts.

Eli ZigasProgram Associate

Eli Zigas cant get enough of DC Vote. He worked for DC Vote as an executive assistant in 2001, and is excited to be back at home in the District after working on the west coast. Eli has been helping DC Vote organize media events to raise the profile of DC voting rights nationally and building coalitions with activists in other states.

Nell Schaffer talks voting rights with locals at Adams Morgan Day.

Discover DC participants canvass local businesses with DC Vote signs.

DC Votes own Abraham Lincoln made a brief appearance at the CNN/Youtube debate.

7 Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nations Capital DC Votes Abe Lincoln Look-alike Enjoys Five Seconds of Fame during CNN Debate

Voice

Extra! Extra!
As DC Vote stepped up its advocacy efforts following the vote in the Senate on September 16, local and national media outlets took notice: Chicago Daily HeraldOctober 3rd Give D.C. Residents Their Right to Vote Op-Ed by Jan Kay Arizona RepublicOctober 19th D.C. Voting Activists Hound GOP by Mike Madden Yale Daily NewsOctober 30th Residents of DC Deserve Right to Vote for House and Senate Letter-to-Editor by Alexandra Stein Chicago TribuneNovember 7th House Members Who Cant Vote Say Theyre Counted Out by Gabrielle Russon WAMU FMNovember 8th DC Vote Wins Support of Veterans by Jessica Golloher The American ObserverNovember 8th District Residents Rally Once Again for Congressional Representation by Ryan Sibley Harvard Political ReviewNovember 16th When Some are Less Equal by Helen Strom Roll CallDecember 5th Advocates Plan Tea Party for DC Representation by Elizabeth Brotherton Washington PostDecember 17th Residents Keep D.C. Vote Fight Brewing Tea Party Protest Evokes Famed Boston Revolt by David Nakamura

Although he fell short of a full fifteen minutes of fame, a DC Vote supporter-turned-Abraham Lincoln did surprise the GOP candidates with a brief guest appearance at the CNN YouTube Republican Debate on November 28. In a montage showing a few clever submissions, DC Vote staffer Eli Zigas, dressed as a striking Abraham Lincoln, entertained candidates at the start of the debate. Of the thousands of videos submitted to the CNN YouTube debates, eleven were created by DC Vote supporters at DCTV studios. Participants included: Robert Kabel, Chair of DC Republican Committee; Marcus Skelton, Chair of the DC Young Republicans; Harry Tommy Thomas Jr., DC City Councilmember; Yvette Alexander, DC City Councilmember; and Nelson Rimensnyder, Vietnam veteran; Marque and Sheryll Chambliss; Ann Hoffman; and Tonya Vidal Kinlow and Chandrai Jackson-Saunders. All videos are available on DC Votes Web site and will be featured as part of DCTVs regular programming throughout the month of December.

DC Vote Honored for Advocacy Efforts

The Institute for Policy Studies bestowed the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award, conferred upon organizations to celebrate new heroes of the human rights movement. Executive Director Ilir Zherka was also named a recipient of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundations 2007 Exponent Award, recognizing visionary leadership of nonprofit organizations working in the DC area. DC Vote is humbled to have been so graciously honored for its advocacy work in the nations capital.

DC Young Republicans Chair Marcus Skelton parties with festive participants at a community festival.

Chairman Vincent Gray and Councilmember Carol Schwartz rally the Senate with Eugene Kinlow.

Councilmember Harry Tommy Thomas tapes a message for the Republican candidates.

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Special Thanks & Recognition
DC Vote is proud to welcome Joseph Perta and Donald Sherman as the newest members of the DC Vote Board of Directors. DC Vote greatly appreciates the many supporters who lend a gracious hand with pro bono services, meeting space and event assistance. Thank you to the AFL-CIO, the Beacon Hotel, Bens Chili Bowl, Common Cause, DCist.com, DCTV, the DC Young Suffragists, Jenner & Block LLP , the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the League of Women Voters, Levendis Law Group PLLC, the National Music Center at the Carnegie Library Building, Nicks Riverside Grill, People For the American Way and Specialties, Inc. Very special thanks to the Honorable Yvette Alexander, Sheryll Cashin, Marque Chambliss, Tania Farries, Tonya Gonzalez, Ann Hoffman, Lars Hydle, Chandrai Jackson-Saunders, Robert Kabel, Joel Kaplan, Aviva Kempner, Tonya Vidal Kinlow, Jane Varner Malhotra, Sam McCoy, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Nelson Rimesnyder, the Honorable Carol Schwartz, Andy Shallal, Marcus Skelton, Bruce Spiva, the Honorable Harry Tommy Thomas and all of our tireless volunteers.

WINTER 2007 www.dcvote.org

Democracy Is On the Move!

In January, DC Vote will be moving its offices to:

2000 P Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20036 We look forward to continuing the fight from our brand new location!

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

The VoiceDC Votes Newsletter Editor: Kevin Kiger Associate Editor: Josh Bumpus Contributors: Jaline Quinto & Eli Zigas Copyright 2007 DC Vote

Washington, DC 20009 1500 U Street, NW

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