DC: September 30 DC Human Rights Rally Protesting OIC

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
Contact: Jeffrey Imm, realpublic@earthlink.net

http://www.realcourage.org/2009/09/september-30-rally-protesting-oic/

On the morning of September 30, the Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) human rights group will be holding a pro-human rights rally protesting the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)'s attempts to continue to justify their rejection of Universal Human Rights to all people of every religion, race, and national origin deserve around the world.

The protest will be held in Washington DC at 1200 17th Street NW,  Washington, D.C. 20036-3011 from 9 AM to 12 Noon. (See details below.)

On September 30 in Washington DC, the U.S.-government-funded NGO "United States Institute for Peace" (USIP) will be hosting a public event featuring the Secretary-General, OIC, H.E. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu from 9:30 to 11:30. The USIP is holding this event to "promote peaceful coexistence between the U.S. and Islamic states" and to "advance mutual interests."

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)'s believes that humanity's "mutual interests" BEGIN with recognizing and supporting our universal human rights.  We also believe the "path to peace" starts with such universal human rights for all people.

Our objections to this will be based on OIC's creation of the "Cairo Declaration of Human Rights" as a rejection of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that recognizes freedom of conscience, freedom to change religion, freedom of speech, and other freedoms for all women and men that we view as universal human rights -- not simply those rights based on Sharia as defined in the OIC-created "Cairo Declaration of Human Rights." Moreover, we remain concerned about the OIC's equivocal position on terrorism.

Our objections to this will be based on OIC's creation of the "Cairo Declaration of Human Rights"  as a rejection of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that recognizes freedom of conscience, freedom to change religion, freedom of speech, and other freedoms for all women and men that we view as universal human rights -- not simply those rights based on Sharia as defined in the OIC-created "Cairo Declaration of Human Rights."    Moreover, we remain concerned about the OIC's equivocal position on terrorism.

Freedom is not a price that can be "traded" for any real peace, but is the foundation of shared human rights and human dignity that must be our priority in any serious efforts in working towards international peace.  We don't accept a "Muslim world" and a "non-Muslim world," but recognize only one shared Earth where all human beings deserve universal human rights.

Protest Details:

Date: Wednesday, September 30
Time: 9 AM to 12 Noon
Location: 1200 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-3011
-- in front of the National Restaurant Association Building
-- near the corner of 17th Street NW and M Street NW
-- Map -- Street View

1200 17th Street NW - National Restaurant Association Bldg

Travel by Metro (Subway)
Short walk from Metro's Farragut North (Red) and Farragut West (Blue/Orange) subway stations. At street level, walk north on Connecticut, keeping Farragut Park to your back. Turn right on M Street and walk east to 17th Street. Location is on the northwest corner of 17th Street and M Street.

FARRAGUT NORTH METRO STATION to 17TH ST NW DETAILED WALKING DIRECTIONS
-- Walking Map
1. Exit station through CONNECTICUT AVE & L ST NW entrance.
2. Walk approx. 1 block E on L St NW.
3. Turn left on 17th St NW.
4. Walk approx. 1 block N on 17th St NW.

FARRAGUT WEST METRO STATION to 17TH ST NW DETAILED WALKING DIRECTIONS
-- Walking Map
1. Exit station through 18TH & I (EYE) ST NW entrance.
2. Walk approx. 1 block N on 18th St NW.
3. Turn right on K St NW.
4. Walk approx. 1 block E on K St NW.
5. Turn left on Connecticut Ave NW.
6. Walk a short distance N on Connecticut Ave NW.
7. Turn right on K St NW.
8. Walk approx. 1 block E on K St NW.
9. Turn left on 17th St NW.
10. Walk approx. 2 blocks N on 17th St NW.

Driving Directions

Get directions to 1200 17th StStreet via MapQuest or use these directions:

From I-95 (Richmond and points south)

* Take I-95 North, which becomes I-395 North
* As you approach DC, go over the 14th Street Bridge; stay to the left, headed toward Route 1 North. This turns into 14th Street
* Proceed up 14th Street to Thomas Circle
* Go around Thomas Circle three-fourths of the way, and turn right onto M Street
* Head down M Street till you hit 17th Street
* We're at the corner of 17th and M Streets, NW

From Northern Virginia via I-66 East

* Take I-66 East until it turns into the Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
* From the bridge take the Constitution Avenue exit
* Turn left onto 17th Street, which becomes Connecticut Avenue
* From Connecticut Avenue, turn right onto Rhode Island Avenue
* Turn right onto 17th Street
* We're at the corner of 17th and M Streets, NW

From I-495

* Take the George Washington Parkway exit toward DC
* Take the exit for Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
* Once on the bridge, stay in the middle lane
* From the bridge take the Constitution Avenue exit
* Turn left onto 17th Street, which becomes Connecticut Avenue
* From Connecticut Avenue, turn right onto Rhode Island Avenue
* Turn right onto 17th Street
* We're at the corner of 17th and M Streets, NW

Parking

Street parking is available around the National Restaurant Association Building (watch the time of day and be sure to feed the meters). You can also pay to park in garages located nearby: Check M Street, Rhode Island Avenue and 17th Street.

Contact with Authorities

We have contacted the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department and provided them with an Assembly Notification for this.