The NSA is spying on everyone’s personal communications. It’s operating without any meaningful oversight.
On October 26th, the 12th anniversary of the signing of the USA Patriot Act, we’re holding the largest rally yet against NSA surveillance. We’ll be handing more than a half-million petitions to Congress to remind them that they work for us — and we won’t tolerate mass surveillance any longer.
A stellar group of whistleblowers, activists, researchers and others from both sides of the political spectrum will be speaking at this historic event. The list includes:
Congressman Justin Amash
Former senior NSA executive and whistleblower Thomas Drake
Social critic Naomi Wolf
Jona Bechtolt, from electro-punk band YACHT
Claire L. Evans, also from YACHT
Lt. Dan Choi, LGBT advocate and U.S. veteran
Rainey Reitman, EFF
Bruce Schneier, internationally renowned security technologist
Craig Aaron, Free Press
Kymone Freeman, Director of the National Black LUV Fest
Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson
Khalilah Barnes, EPIC
Shahid Buttar, Bill of Rights Defense Committee
Malachi Byrd, DC Youth Poetry Slam Team
Wafa Ben Hassine, writer and human rights advocate
Former Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Laura Murphy, ACLU
NOT4PROPHET, Hip Hop MC and community organizer
Black Alley, DC-based soul-garage band
Location:
Marchers will gather in front of Union Station at 11:30 a.m. by the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain in Columbus Circle. Shortly after noon we’ll march to the National Mall at 3rd Street and Madison Dr. NW, in front of the Capitol Reflecting Pool, where there will be a stage set up for our rally speakers, musicians, and performers.
The National Security Agency is tracking our phone calls and monitoring our emails, Web searches and other online activity — with the aid of companies like Verizon, Facebook and Google.
But what does all of this mean for communities of color?
The federal government has a long history of spying on people of color to discredit racial justice movements. During the 1970s, the government passed legislation to rein in these programs. But since Sept. 11, those safeguards have been eroded, and many in these communities are now under both digital andphysical surveillance.
This spying has affected the Muslim-American community in particular. In 2002, the New York Police Department created a surveillance program targeting local Muslim Americans, forcing the community to live in fear. The program continues to this day.
Join us at one of D.C.’s premier cultural venues for a lively and wide-ranging panel discussion on how local and federal spying operations impact movements for social and racial justice. The conversation will also explore ways to fight back to protect our online digital rights and Internet freedom.
Morgan State University Professor Jared Ball, the host of the radio program Super Funky Soul Power Hour, will moderate the discussion. Our amazing panelists include former political prisoner and Black Panther Party leader Dhoruba Bin-Wahad, ACLU D.C. Program Director Seema Sadanandan, communications specialist and media activist Adwoa Masozi, Desis Rising Up and Moving Legal and Policy Director Fahd Ahmed, May First/People Link founder Alfredo Lopez and other special guests.
This event is presented by Free Press, the Center for Media Justice and Voices for Internet Freedom.
Busboys and Poets (Langston Room)
2021 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (EDT)
The event is free and open to the public but you must RSVP to reserve your seat. Space is limited. Food and drinks are available to order during the event.
This discussion is a prelude to the Rally Against Mass Surveillance on October 26. More information about the rally is available here.
I spent a little time with a few of our Potomac Gardens neighbors talking about the 50th anniversary of The March On Washington;
it was a time to reflect on experiences of the past, take stock of the present, and consider the possibilities of the future. Thank you Annie Ferguson, Carlton Moxley, Enoch Pratt, Potomac Gardens Greeter Claudia, David, Gary Anderson, Ms. Teasley and Wilson Senior High School student Levi.
Pianist Carleton Moxley talks about growing up in Washington, DC when it was still segregated
Ms. Teasley, talks about the history of the March on Washington, the important changes that have taken place but admits that racism is still our biggest problem.
Annie Ferguson is in her 70s. She has relatives who were able to march in 1963 but she didn’t attend. If it weren’t for her recent stroke, she would have gone to the anniversary march herself.
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