image courtesy Cupolas of Capitalism Gallery, from Images of American Political HistoryNuclear Option Defused!
14 Moderates Strike Deal to Save the Senate
On the eve of nuclear showdown, 14 moderate Senators (seven from each party) forged a deal to avert the impending meltdown of the Senate rules. These individuals rejected the extreme attempts by the Majority Leadership to break the rules protecting minority rights. This victory for the American people and our precious democracy came as a grave defeat for Bill Frist and his right-wing backers. We Virginians especially thank our own Senator John Warner for working closely with Sen. Robert Byrd to find a compromise that protects the right to filibuster radical judicial nominations.
image courtesy Cupolas of Capitalism Gallery, from Images of American Political History
Monday, May 23, 2005, 4:15 PM
"Senate Swamp"
near Constitution Ave and Delaware Ave NE
Washington, DC
From Kristin Bateman, People For the American Way Foundation:
With Senate Majority Leader Frist on the brink of going "nuclear," pro-filibuster activists will join together tomorrow (Monday) to rally to save our checks and balances and stop the "nuclear option." I hope you can join us!
Who: Senators, National Leaders, & Activists
What: Rally to Save the Filibuster
When: Monday, May 23, 4:15 pm
Where: "Senate Swamp" (across from the Russell Senate Office Building, near streets listed above)
Rain location: Hart Senate Building, room 216 (Constitution Ave between 1st and 2nd St NE)
RSVP: Kristin Bateman; volunteer-AT-pfaw-DOT-org or 202-467-2393
Please let your friends and family know about this as well. We want to make a huge showing of support for our fundamental checks and balances. We can stop this partisan power grab!
We'll have homemade signs on hand, but feel free to make and bring your own.
A new "people's filibuster" has started, as announced by Not In Our Name, taking place at the same location in front of the Capitol. This begin on Wednesday, May 18 and will resume Thursday, May 19 from 12 PM to 6 PM. This action is very relevant, considering these weighty issues are being debated within the Senate chamber at the same time. Please send us feedback and updates!
Wednesday, May 18 - Thursday, May 19, 2005
Capitol Reflecting Pool
near 3rd St & Maryland Ave SW
Washington, DC
This event was inspired by the two week long Princeton students' Filibuster Frist in front of the campus building named for the family of a certain Senate majority leader alumnus. We were honored to join with the Princeton filibuster when they came to Washington, DC for the final 26 of their 384 hours.
May 12: Corzine, Schumer, Holt to Speak at Student Filibuster
May 11: The Princeton Filibuster Frist protest has joined with DC-area students to filibuster in front of the Capitol!
... and 384 hours later ...
final webcam view of Princeton filibuster at concluding rally
10 AM Wednesday, May 11, 2005 -
12 Noon Thursday, May 12, 2005
Capitol Reflecting Pool
near 3rd St & Maryland Ave SW
Washington, DC
Students and citizens for an independent judiciary will exercise the filibuster on Capitol Hill, in protest of the Senate majority leadership's attempts to end the tradition of extended deliberative debate for these important decisions about lifetime judicial appointments, through the "Nuclear Option."
Come watch (or students, sign up to filibuster) at any time! This is a non-partisan event, so all in favor of a fair and independent judiciary are welcome, but please do not bring partisan messages or rhetoric.
In the United States Capitol, the Republican leadership of the Senate is planning to blow away the deliberative process that has served the Senate so well for more than two centuries, by invoking the "Nuclear Option," which would end the ability to filibuster when an extreme judicial nominee cannot garner a consensus of at least 60 votes.
Take the filibuster challenge! Start a 12- or 24-hour filibuster protest on your campus or in your town today! Read our simple 11-step plan: Filibuster 101
Any student, elected official, or Constitutional scholar who is interested in speaking should e-mail us.
| Wednesday, May 11 | |
| 10:00 am | Georgetown University student |
| 10:30 am | Princeton students |
| 11:00 am | The Honorable Paul Strauss, "Shadow" U.S. Senator from the District of Columbia |
| 11:30 am | Bob Weinberg, Constitutional Law Scholar |
| 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Princeton students |
| 2:00 pm | Prof. Michael Seidman, Georgetown Law |
| 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Princeton students |
| 3:30 pm | University of Virginia student |
| 4:00 pm | community open house |
| 4:30 pm | Prof. Peter Rubin, Georgetown Law |
| 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Princeton students |
| 6:00 pm | Trinity University student |
| 6:30 pm | Princeton students |
| 7:00 pm | Howard University student |
| 7:30 pm | Princeton students |
| 8:00 pm | Georgetown University student |
| 8:30 pm | Princeton students |
| 9:00 pm | George Washington University student |
| 9:30 pm | Princeton students |
| 10:00 pm | George Washington University student |
| Overnight/Thursday, May 12 | |
| 10:30 pm - 9:00 am | Princeton students |
| 9:00 am | Howard University student |
| 9:30 am - 11:00 am | Princeton students |
| 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Rally and Press Conference with Members of Congress |
Organizers: Contact us via e-mail (organizers-AT-filibuster-DOT-unEnding-DOT-org)
We are students at:
We are also coordinating with the Filibuster Frist organizers at Princeton University.
Coordination and support for this event was provided by The People For the American Way Foundation.
Media contact: Contact us via e-mail (media-AT-filibuster-DOT-unEnding-DOT-org)
© 2005 The Filimaster, except where otherwise noted. Design based on Filibuster Frist with permission.