Although 192 protesters were arrested Saturday during the March to End the War and competing counter-protest by the Gathering of Eagles, by most measures turnout was low. The Post’s Marc Fisher notes in his column that the small numbers of people who marched over the weekend is more a measure of a lack of enthusiasm for protesting in this country, rather than a lack of strong feelings against the war — just visit any popular political blog. Flickr user philliefan_99 snapped this photo on Saturday of Brian Becker, national coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, being arrested after jumping a police barricade at the U.S. Capitol. This week the city will see more actions by ANSWER, including activists visiting local high schools and military recruiting centers, and marching through Rayburn.
Voting Rights Fight Comes Down to Wire: Mary Beth Sheridan has more details on tomorrow’s planned Senate floor action, where lawmakers will first vote on whether the Senate should consider the voting rights bill — a required first step before an actual vote on the legislation, and one supporters still aren’t sure they have the required votes to get past. As we told you on Friday afternoon, a rally is planned for 11 a.m. this morning in front of Dirksen for a final show of support before tomorrow’s vote.
City Agrees to Invest in Greater Southeast: Specialty Hospitals of America and Mayor Adrian Fenty have reached a deal to invest $79 million in public money to make possible the sale of beleaguered Greater Southeast Community Hospital to the company, according to the Post. At least $30 million of the total money would serve as a grant for infrastructure upgrades at the hospital that would not be paid back. The deal still requires Council approval, but Mayor Fenty is reportedly considering using its portion of the federal tobacco settlement fund to pay for it.
Briefly Noted: Mother and son killed in Emerson St. NW fire … Smithsonian to hold public meeting tonight on its search for a new chief executive … Two Oakland officials offered top jobs in D.C. Schools … Protesters gather outside BET CEO’s house to object to stereotypes.
This Day in DCist: In 2004 we bid farewell to Visions Cinema and noted the opening date of the New York Ave. Metro station.
Photo by philliefan_99
