DC's 'second-class status' gets national attention

In an election year where all eyes are on the right to vote, DC Vote is bringing the message of the District's denial of voting rights to two of the largest political gatherings in the nation - the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC) and the Republican National Convention (RNC)."It's a critical time for DC Vote to educate tens of thousands of people about DC voting rights," said Ilir Zherka, DC Vote executive director. "There is a heightened awareness across the country of the importance of voting rights. What we are doing is taking advantage of opportunities to promote our message that more than half a million tax-paying Americans in our nation's capital are denied the American birthright of a vote in Congress."

The nearly 600,000 residents of the District of Columbia pay federal taxes, serve on juries and fight and die in wars but are denied voting representation in the House or Senate. Since early 2008, DC Vote has taken its message to five states to educate constituents about DC's status as second-class citizens. The next stops on DC Vote's road trip to the states are Denver and Minneapolis for the DNC and RNC.

Working with the DC Democratic State Committee, DC for Democracy, DC elected officials and more than 100 local volunteers, DC Vote planned a number of activities at the DNC, August 25-28, to raise awareness about DC's denial of a vote in Congress.

On Tuesday a music video co-produced by DC Vote was prominently featured at the Pepsi Center in Denver at press time. The video played before a speech on DC voting rights by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

Del. Norton addressed a group of 100 volunteers and delegates at a DNC briefing in DC last week. She stressed to the gathered crowd that they were responsible for telling everyone about DC voting rights.

"I'm not coming out on the stage [of the Pepsi Center] until I hear that song say 'in DC we demand the vote, in DC we demand the vote'," said Del. Norton of her DNC speech. "We're not like every state delegation - we're not going to the convention just to celebrate; we've got work to do."

The video is for "Demand the Vote", a Go Go song commissioned by DC Vote and written and performed by local artist Joe L. Da Vessel and band Melodic. The video was produced in conjunction with D.A.A.S. Wuz Up Entertainment and directed by G-light Films.

"The video for 'Demand the Vote' is creative, inspiring and educational," said Zherka. "The fact that we can reach tens of thousands of people with this message at the DNC is a fantastic bonus. The song and video presents a strong message from the District of Columbia to thousands of politically-engaged people who have the power to change DC's denial of democracy through their vote in Congress."

DC Vote also participated in a number of other activities to promote DC voting rights at the DNC. Staff and volunteers led canvassing groups throughout Denver; co-hosted a Taxation Without Representation rally at the Denver Mint; handed out thousands of flyers, T-shirts, buttons, and stickers to promote awareness of DC voting rights; and participated in a number of co-sponsored events and receptions.

Next week, September 1-4, DC Vote staff will also have a presence in Minneapolis for the Republican National Convention.

"We'll be looking for opportunities to promote DC voting rights," said Eugene D. Kinlow, DC Vote Outreach Director. "A number of Republican elected officials have really championed the cause of DC voting rights, and we want to educate voters at the RNC about DC's denial of a vote in Congress."

DC Vote's polling shows that nearly 80 percent of voters don't know that DC residents lack voting representation in Congress. The same poll also shows that once they learn about the issue, more than 80 percent believe that DC residents should be allowed a vote in Congress.

"Our trips to the states have proven that Americans everywhere believe in bringing full democracy to DC," said Zherka. "The challenge for DC Vote is getting the message out to as many people as possible because, once people learn about DC's status, they overwhelmingly support equal representation for their fellow Americans living in the District.