What is the state of the union? Protest January 28th, 2003

The Sorry State of the Union

A project of the Shirts Off Coalition
1858 Mintwood Place NW #4
Washington, DC 20009
202-232-1724

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Zoe Mitchell 202-253-2990

January 15, 2003 Adam Eidinger 202-744-2671

Rally, Concert and Direct Action Will Challenge Bush’s State of The Union

Concert includes performances by Thievery Corporation, Milemarker, Mr. Lif

WASHINGTON, DC---On January 28, 2003, President George W. Bush will be the first President of the United States to face significant protest when he makes his second State of the Union address. Through musical performances, speeches, video presentations, and a direct action march, The Shirts Off Coalition will question the sorry state of the union.

“We are going to be asking Bush: What is the state of the economy when joblessness has increased dramatically? What is the state of healthcare when the number of uninsured has risen by over 1 million people in a single year? What is the state of our priorities when the elderly have to choose between food or prescription drugs? What is the state of our democracy when the president declares war ignoring vocal opposition,” says Alexis Rodich, Shirts Off organizer.

Additionally, organizers envision a new state of the union—one where all people have access to quality healthcare, shelter, food and education and war is averted by diplomatic relationships.

WHO: Performances by Thievery Corporation, Milemarker, Mr. Lif, 1905, David Rovics, The Whips, 302 Acid, Jungle Jessi. Speakers include an official response from the US Green Party, Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping, Rami Fareed Asak of the Progressive Muslim Network and others.

WHAT: Concert, Rally and March to challenge Bush’s assessment of the State of the Union

WHERE: Westside US Capitol; Reflecting Pool at 3rd St. NW [March begins nearby]

WHEN: January 28, 2003 6 pm-2 am

“This is the first major protest at the State of the Union in recent memory,” says Adam Eidinger of the DC Statehood Green Party. “President Bush’s first State of the Union address, the infamous ‘Axis of Evil’ speech, precipitated a global crisis. This time, we are not going to let him distract the country from chronic problems such as lack of housing, healthcare and decent jobs.”

Bush is Taking the Shirts Off Our Backs to Pay for this War. The Shirts Off Coalition includes: Left Turn, Anti-Capitalist Convergence, DC Statehood Green Party, Organized Coup and SUSTAIN. Other sponsors include: Not In Our Name, United For Peace, Peace Action, US Green Party, May Day DC, Vote Hemp, Women in Pink, Positive Force, and the International Socialist Organization.

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SHIRTS OFF COALITION

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ANNOUNCEMENT: CITIZEN DRAFT

You have been drafted for a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Dear: Noam Chomsky, Ani DiFranco, Amy Goodman, Ben Harper, Audio Slave/Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys, Kurt Vonnegut, Alice Walker, Howard Zinn, Casey Kasem, Barbara Kingsolver, Tony Kushner, Pearl Jam, Michael Moore, Sonic Youth, Dead Prez., Ricanstruction, ChumbaWumba, Susan Serandon, David Byrne, Radiohead, Laurie Anderson, Robert Altman, Edward Asner, Russell Banks, Medea Benjamin, Ben Cohen, Ramsey Clark, David Cole, Brian Eno, Jane Fonda, Angela Davis, Jeremey M. Glick, Amy Ray, and Barbara Lubin, Walter Cronkite, Al sharpton Julius Hobson, Jr., Martin Sheen, Rep. Barbara Lee, Ron Dellums, Normon Solomon, Rep. Henry Waxman, Morris Dees, Ralph Nader, Reverend Billy (Church of Stop Shopping), Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Paul Krugman, Joan Didion.

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Greetings from Washington, DC. We are proud to inform you that a permit has been obtained from the National Park Service to throw a concert on the front lawn of the capitol building during the delivery of George W. Bush’s 2003 historic State of the Union Address on January 28th, 2003! We are not kidding!

This critical moment can only be properly experienced in the flesh! We have already secured a stage, lights, a sound system, a green room, heaters, with a new group called “Shirts Off” at the helm. Shirts Off is a working group formed for this event from local DC groups interested in stopping the momentum of impending war.

The event will be broadcast through Pacifica Radio WPFW and live-webcast at wbix.org (Refugees and Exiles Radio Network). National renowned artists Thievery Corporation will be performing and don’t miss the Bush impersonator and video clips sent from IMC global State of the Union contest.

We ask that you come to DC for the evening. We have nice hotels, and the patriotic citizens of American need you. Unfortunately the phrase, "the revolution will not be televised" is correct. Your attendance will bring the cameras. If nobody knows what has happened fewer citizens will be inspired to speak up!

This is a last minute call, but we hope you will feel impulsive and come to DC to mark this event. RSVP by January 16, 2003.

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Rendezvous Responses:

Confirmed Participants include D.J.s “Thievery Corporation”

IN THE FLESH
15 minute slots available for speakers
20-40 minute slots available for bands
5-10 minute solo single-song sets

IN SPIRIT
Send us a shirt off your back to be given away to the citizen hero’s.
Send us an audio or video clip addressing the crowd (2-4 minutes only)
Call in via telephone during the event.

I CAN NOT PARTICIPATE

But I know someone who can

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Contact our concierge at
800-656-3201
Consierge@4dmap.net

More Information
Adam Eidinger
Mintwood Media Collective
Adam@mintwood.com

202-986-6186 FX 202-232-8340

What is the state of the union. . .

...To those who believe that healthcare, a good environment, quality education, food and medication are not a privilege for only the very rich?

...To those who believe that another war is not the most effective means of achieving national security and that tax cuts and golden parachutes for thievery corporations will not save our flailing economy?

We call on you to reflect: What is the state of your union?

On January 28th 2003, we call on you to join friends and family, artists and musicians on the lawn of the United States Capitol for a live concert and rally showing the real state of the union, and reclaiming the fate of our union!

This event coincides with the annual State of the Union Address, where George W. Bush will claim that the state of our union is secure and strong. Through musical performances, speeches, video presentations, spoken word and more, we will question his proclamation!

- What is the state of the economy when joblessness has risen to its highest rate in over a decade, corporations continue to lay off workers by the thousands, and retirement security has become another oxymoron in our lexicon of shattered dreams?

- What is the state of healthcare when the number of uninsured has risen by over 1 million people in a single year, and the few remaining public health facilities and programs are being privatized?

- What is the state of our priorities when parents must choose between heating their homes or feeding their kids and when the elderly have to chose between food or prescription drugs?

- What is the state of our democracy when the president declares war ignoring a vocal oppositions, and our military interests are solely monetary, no matter the impact on humanity?