DFL NEWS ITEMS September 1, 2005
09/02/2005
Below are DFL news releases of importance. The first deals with hurricane Katrina victims while the others deal with upcoming DFL activist activities icluding Fathers For School Success and the Fill-a-Bus Tour to Protect ANWR!
URGENT ACTION REQUIRED: Mayor of New Orleans sends out desperate SOS
As we all know, the areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina have been devastated, especially the city of New Orleans. The response to help victims has been slow, and the situation is one of chaos and desperation.
The following video depicts the grave situation at New Orlean’s Convention Center, as chronicled by NBC photojournalist Tony Zambado.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/
Click on “despair and anger” to view.
We’ve received many messages of concern from DFLers wondering how they can help those in need during this national emergency. We ask that you consider giving generously to the Red Cross to provide the necessary funding and supplies needed to save lives. You can make an online donation at:
Thank you for your generosity of spirit, and thoughts and prayers for the victims of this tragedy.
Below you will find a small sample of the activities the DFL has going on this month. To see all of our upcoming events, check out the event calendar at http://www.dfl.org
Read below for more information about:
Fathers for School Success!
Fill-a-Bus Tour to Protect ANWR!
MN DFL Sends Bus to DC United for Peace Rally!
September 6th – FATHERS FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS!
Minnesota Black Star Project presents FATHERS FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS!
Fathers who take active roles in children’s lives help them do better. Children learn better, enjoy school more and are more likely to graduate from high school. Join ONE MILLION fathers, stepfathers, uncles, and cousins from across America and take your children to school on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2005.
Parents have been galvanized in such cities as Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Rockford, IL; Cambridge, MA: and Price George County, MD to highlight the need for fathers to be involved, especially in low achieving school districts.
Join the movement across the nation to encourage educational excellence in our youth and build stronger family and community structures!
For more information:
ACE Institute of Learning
612.879.7526
Based in Chicago, the Black Star Project is a non-profit that has gained momentum around the country in helping students succeed educationally.
Supporting organizations include: Ace Institute of Learning; Achieve Minneapolis; African American Family Services; African American Men Project; The Minnesota African American Read-In; U of MN General College; Hennepin County Children Youth & Family Service Area Human Services and Public Health Department; KMOJ Radio; MAD Dads; and Way to Grow.
*****
September 19th-20th – FILL-A-BUS TOUR TO PROTECT ANWR!
The Alaska Coalition is organizing in Minnesota to help protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) from oil drilling. As DFLers, we understand the importance of environmental protection; as Minnesotans, we understand nature’s inherent beauty and value. We’re natural allies with the Alaska Coalition, and should seriously consider helping them out.
ANWR is at an unprecedented risk this fall with votes in Congress on the Budget Reconciliation Bill that can open the door to oil leasing in this rich habitat. We need to reach as many people as possible to educate and activate them on this issue. A number of Minnesota’s representatives in Congress are considered swing votes on this important vote—including Senator Norm Coleman and Congressman Mark Kennedy.
On September 20th, join the “Fill-a-bus” tour to Arctic Action Day in Washington DC on Sept. 20th to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Be a part of the most critical environmental gathering in D.C since the 1990 Earth Day Rally! Help show the US House and the Senate that the American people will never accept oil rigs in our Arctic Refuge.
Event Details:
Bus departs Sept. 19 (time TBD), returns Sept 20/Sept. 21 (time TBD)
Rally: Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 11 a.m., on West Lawn of the Capitol
Costs:
- Approx. $40 - 50 per person for travel expense (share of bus and gas)
- Cheap lodging provided in D.C. (option available to ride through the night and avoid lodging costs)
For more information:
Lois Norrgard
Regional Organizer
Alaska Coalition
10368 Columbus Circle
Bloomington MN 55420
ph/fx: 952.881-7282
*****
September 23rd, 24th, 25th - MN DFL SENDS BUS TO DC UNITED FOR PEACE RALLY!
On Saturday, September 24th, Americans committed to peace and ending the war in Iraq will gather in a massive public demonstration at the Washington Monument and in front of the White House.
The Minnesota DFL Party is proud to co-sponsor a bus to the rally – and we invite you to join us!
Nearly 2,000 American servicemen and woman have died in this conflict and over 16,000 have been wounded. While the exact numbers are unknown, the number of casualties to the Iraqi population has been staggering. And there is no end in sight.
On Saturday, September 24th, we will join others from across the country to stand up for those who continue to sacrifice for Bush’s war of choice.
The Bush administration has continually shifted its rationale for this conflict. The American people were sold on a war to eliminate Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction, and upon a false connection between Iraq and 9/11. We’ve been told repeatedly that we our military action in Iraq has been part of our effort to fight terrorism. We know that there were no weapons of mass destruction, there was no connection between Iraq and 9/11 and that international terrorism has increased since our invasion of Iraq. Given this, we need straightforward answers surrounding this war from this administration and we need an exit strategy for our troops!
American support for Bush and the war have hit all-time lows: nearly 60 percent of Americans believe this war was wrong. Now is the time to stand up and tell President Bush to end this war, before the Administration trots out another hollow rationale. Join us in Washington and let your voice be heard!
BUS TO WASHINGTON DETAILS:
The unionized bus service will leave from the parking lot of the Minnesota DFL (255 E. Plato Blvd, St. Paul) at 8:00am on the morning of Friday, September 23th arriving in time for the rally in Washington, which begins at 11:00am on Saturday.
The return trip will leave from D.C. after the march and will return to St Paul sometime Sunday evening. Subsidized cost per person will be $170.
We have 50 seats available and reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to register:
http://www.thedatabank.com/meeting/caldetail_dfl.asp?ccf=149531&caleventid=3315&classevent=PUBLIC
Co-sponsors include the DFL Feminist Caucus, DFL Progressive Caucus, DFL Veteran’s Caucus, DFL Stonewall Caucus, College Democrats, and the Minnesota Young DFL