Soulforce Alert: December 30, 2002
IF YOU LIVE NEAR DC, JOIN US TO SUPPORT THE SOULFORCE "DC 3"
The three gay Catholics who were arrested in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. last month will stand trial on January 24, 2003 for "Unlawful Entry."
Soulforce supporters in and around D.C. are being asked to mark their calendars and join with us at Luther Place at 2 PM Thursday for vigiling at the USCCB offices that afternoon, 7:30 AM Friday to prepare for the day, and 10AM Saturday morning to go to the Holocaust Museum special exhibit. (see details below.)
Kara Speltz (Oakland, CA), Ken Einhaus (Arlington, VA), and Mike Perez (Seattle, WA), all lifelong Catholics and supporters of Soulforce returned to Washington D.C. pled not guilty after being arrested for kneeling in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency on November 12, 2002. The three had been denied Eucharist at the National Shrine’s annual Mass that takes place during the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The decision to go to trial is a new tactic for Soulforce. Up until now, those arrested have simply pled guilty and paid a fine. The "DC 3" believe that going to trial will give Soulforce another opportunity make our case against the Catholic Church publicly.
To read our ‘Case Against the Catholic Church’ go to https://soulforceactionarchives.org/article/319. This document which we created for our November, 2002 direct action was culled from just one year’s news reports and reflects the international scope of the Church’s attacks against the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
If you live near the District of Columbia, we hope you’ll join us at Luther place and be there in the courtroom for support. If you are from out of town in wish to be there with us, we have provided lodging information below.
If you can’t support us in person, any contributions to the "defense fund" will be greatly appreciated to help offset the court costs, the fines, and the costs of flying back and forth to D.C.
Email kara@soulforce.org if you are planning to join us in the courtroom on Friday morning or stand vigil with us in D.C. We need to have an idea of how many people we need to plan for. Thank you!
DETAILS:
OUR HOME BASE
Our Gathering Place (Home base) before and after the trial:
Luther Place
1226 Vermont Ave
Washington DC
We will be gathering there for briefings and instructions at 2 PM Thursday for vigiling at the USCCB offices that afternoon, 7:30 AM Friday, and 10AM Saturday morning to go to the Holocaust Museum special exhibit.
Luther Place is at Thomas Circle. MacPherson Square is the closest metro stop -Orange & Blue Line, then walk north on 14th or Vermont to the north end of Thomas Circle or taking any 14th bus going North and get off at N Street.
LODGING
If you are coming in from outside the beltway, the Red Roof Inn has plenty of availability for the dates 1/23, 24, 25 and 26, if you need a place to stay. Right now, the rate is $89.99 with a special internet rate of $80.99.
Details for the hotel are:
Red Roof Inn – Washington DC Downtown
500 H Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Inn Phone: (202) 289-5959
Inn Fax: (202)289-0754
For reservations call:
1 800 RED ROOF
Here’s the web link http://www.redroof.com/reservations/inn_details.asp?innNumber=254
If you’d prefer less expensive housing, we’ve found these two other possibilities: William Penn House
515 East Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 543-5560
dirpennhouse@pennsnet.org
$35/night
Reservations requirements are here:
http://www.quaker.org/penn-house/lodging.htm
Hostelling International – Washington, DC
1009 11th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 737-2333
reserve@hiwashingtondc.org
$29/night (non AYH members) $26/night (AYH member)
Reservations requirements are listed here:
http://www.hiwashingtondc.org/reservations.htm
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
On Saturday, Jan. 25th, we’ll be visiting the Holocaust Museum’s new exhibit about the Nazi persecution of homosexuals. Those who came to the D.C. 2000 direct action will remember that we paid a visit there during that time. together.
NAZI PERSECUTION OF HOMOSEXUALS 1933-1945
Through March 16 at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place (15th Street) SW – (Metro: Smithsonian). 202-488-0400.
http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/hsx
Open 10 to 5:30 daily, except Christmas. No tickets are required for the special exhibition; same-day passes to the permanent Holocaust exhibit are available at the museum; advance passes available by calling 800-400-9373 or Tickets.com (service charge added).