Sunday, April 17 – Rally for Democracy
Join thousands to Rally for Democracy and march around the U.S. Capitol to call for solutions that protect the people’s right to vote and prevent our voices from being drowned out by big money. Non-violent direct action trainings will follow in the lead up to Monday’s Congress of Conscience day of action.
A = Rally location
Schedule
The events will take place in front of the U.S. Capitol. Gather at 3rd St. NW in front of the Capitol Reflecting pool between Madison Drive NW and Maryland Ave SW.
12:30pm-1pm: Music and Gathering
Funk band Aztec Sun will perform
1pm-3pm: Rally for Democracy
The Rally for Democracy will feature live music and voices from the democracy movement across the nation who are making positive change for voting rights and the integrity of our elections.
Speakers include: Rev. William Barber II, Pastor and Moral Monday architect; Cornell William Brooks, President & CEO of the NAACP; David Goodman, President of the Andrew Goodman Foundation; Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of the Food and Water Watch; Dolores Huerta, cofounder of the United Farm Workers Union with Cesar Chavez; Jim Hightower, radio commentator & activist; Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA biologist; Aaron Mair, President of the Sierra Club; Sandra Steingraber, biologist & anti-fracking activist; Reverend Ezra Tillman, First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan; Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
Award-winning a capella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, vocalist and songwriter Rochelle Rice, and jazz artist Mark Meadows will perform. More music and speaker information coming soon.
3pm-4 pm: March around the Capitol
We will circle the Capitol to call on Congress to stand up for democracy and stop blocking the reforms we need. We’ll march by the U.S. Supreme Court that issued the disastrous Citizens United and Shelby County rulings which opened up our elections to sustained attack by anti-democratic action by state and private actors working to undermine our right to a voice in our own government. After circling the U.S. Capitol we’ll end up in at Columbus Circle in front of Union station where we’ll hold a Faith rally and folks can board their buses. At the end of the march, stop and enjoy a first come, first serve free scoop of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream before the Faith rally and vigil starts.
4:30pm-5:30 pm: Faith Rally in Columbus Circle
On Sunday afternoon after marching to Columbus Circle in front of Union Station, Democracy Awakening will be holding a faith vigil at 4:30pm where we will be gathering to lift our voices in prayer and action. Faith leaders will tell the story of “The Golden Calf” and explain how idolatry of money in the United States today is stifling our democracy and therefore that we must get money out of politics.
Presenters will include: Chief Dennis Coker (Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware); Imam Yahya Hendi (Chaplain at Georgetown University); Rev. William Lamar (Metropolitan AME); Rabbi Gilah Langner; Rabbi Mordechai Liebling (Reconstructionist Rabbinical College); Rev. Linda Olson Peebles (Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington); Rabbi David Shneyer (Am Kollel Synagogue)
5:30-8pm: After the Rally Meet & Greet w/ Latinos Democracy Advocates hosted by DC Latino Caucus
Where: PoBoy Jim Bar & Grill, 709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002. Six blocks from Union Station (Columbus Circle)
In support of Democracy Awakening, rally for food, drinks, and specials to meet/network with Latino activist and community leaders working for Democracy! The event will start at 5:30pm to 8pm at a great establishment in one of DC’s diverse neighborhoods, H street.
A percentage of proceeds from sales will be donated to the DC Latino Caucus as we continue to actively work on behalf of Washington, DC residents and the democracy rights of the Latino Community. Facebook Event
7-9pm: Non-Violent Direct Action Training
Activists MUST attend a training in order to participate in Monday’s Direct Action: Sign up here.
WHERE: St. Stephen’s and the Incarnation Church St. Stephen’s Dining Room (Lower level) – Use side entrance through the small parking lot. 1525 Newton St NW, Washington, DC 20010