June 2014

2024 Olympics sought by DC: the Eviction Games?

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 06/11/2014 - 14:43

On the 9th of June, the Washington Post reported that DC is again seeking to host the Summer Olympics, this time in 2024. The bid to host the 2012 Olympics was defeated after protesters disrupted an Olympic Selection Committee event with a smoke flare and heckled the Committee at the grand reopening of the Wilson Building the next day.

Housing/urban Issues/Gentrification
Local News/Neighborhoods

Antiwar activists protest smear campaign against former POW Bowe Bergdahl

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 06/10/2014 - 23:17

On the 10th of June, members of multiple antiwar groups and a Muslim advocacy group showed up in front of the White House to welcome former POW Bowe Bergdahl's release, the release of 5 detainees from Gitmo, and condemn the vicious smear campaign the GOP has been mounting against Bowe. One speaker condemned using a POW for a "political football."

Video on Archive

Anti-War/Peace
Foreign Policy/Imperialism

Huge counterprotest against Westboro Baptist at Wilson HS

Submitted by Luke on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:33

On the 9th of June, Westboro Baptist had the nerve to take their violently homophobic message to Wilson High School in DC. They were met with a huge student-let counterprotest.

8 second Youtube video scanning crowd posted by WTOP Radio

Gender/Sexuality/Identity

Dead fish for HRC, super soakers for Westboro at Pride Parade

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 13:03

The Capitol Pride Parade on June 7, 2014 was the least corporate Pride parade I have seen in many years.In addition, the so-called "Human Rights Campaign" was held accountable for throwing non-assimilationists and especially trans folks under the bus by activists who threw nasty dead fish at them. Someone later said "Choke on the bones, transphobe douchebags" in a Twitter post. Also on the scene was the infamously homophobic Westboro Baptist Church. I saw them chased out of one position after several parade floats opened fire with Super Soaker water squirters on them.

Video:Pride vs Westboro

Gender/Sexuality/Identity

Showdown with Westboro Baptist

Gas-guzzling Air Force sponsors Clarendon Cup bicycle race

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 12:51

On the 7th of June, the US Air Force was the lead sponsor of the Clarendon Cup bicycle race, as half of the "US Air Force Cycling Classic." I find it almost hypocritical that one of the world's largest users of jet fuel is sponsoring a bicycle race. A human-powered flight competition would at least be somewhat a match for them, however.

Military/Weapons
Sports

Opponents of LNG export at Cove Point protest at Calvert County Courthouse, tour affected sites

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 15:31

On the 6th of June, opponents of the proposed conversion of the old Cove Point LNG import facility to fracked gas export staged a rally in Prince Frederick, MD supporting a lawsuit against the Board of Commissioners over zoning regulations that are being ignored. Afterwards Cove Point residents led a tour of sites that would be harmed by the proposal.

Video of courthouse rally

Video-Calvert County residents explain Cove Point LNG export dangers

Environment/Food/Health

The scene outside the Calvert County Courthouse in Prince Frederick, MD

https://archive.org/embed/PrinceFrederickCovePointTour662014540p

Wal-Mart strikers, JWJ March through DC

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 15:03

On the 6th of June, Wal-Mart strikers and DC Jobs with Justice marched through the streets of DC.

Youtube video posted by Respect DC

Labor/Economics/Business

Pride week Bike Party draws hundreds

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 06/04/2014 - 23:25

On the 4th of June, organizers of the Bike Parties held a special Pride Week ride, drawing hundreds of riders, including a few in fairy wings, glitter, etc.

Musical video of the Bike Party on Archive

Elections/Legislation/Government
Gender/Sexuality/Identity

Fairy wings in the Pride Bike Party

"Fitness Tax" draws protest at Wilson Building

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 06/03/2014 - 14:41

On the 3rd of June, staffers and customers from several gyms showed up in front of the Wilson Building to oppose the extension of sales taxes to gyms and health clubs, calling it the "fitness tax." They complained about getting only 18 hours notice of the proposal, one that sank the last time it was introduced.

HD 720p video on Archive-download (16mb) if you can't play it in browser

Housing/urban Issues/Gentrification
Labor/Economics/Business
Local News/Neighborhoods

Net Neutrality activists catch FCC Chair Tom Wheeler on street in front of FCC

Submitted by Luke on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 21:39

The fight against paid prioritization of Internet content is not over. On the 2nd of June net neutrality activists returned to the FCC and by chance caught FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in the street as he left for the day. They asked him "which side are you on?"

Video on Archive

Science/Technology
https://archive.org/download/FCCNetNeutrality622014540p/FCC_Net_Neutrality_6-2-2014_540p.gif

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