Next Urban Democracy Feast scheduled for Dec. 19

Earlier in 2015, organizers and community members gathered over a meal to hear ideas for social justice projects that demonstrated direct democracy and accountability. The meal and even called Urban Democracy Feast, gathers regularly to generate funds that can kick start projects that might otherwise not get funded, or help them make a qualitative leap in their work. The next Feast is scheduled for Dec. 19 at the Hispanic American Council on Lake Street in Kalamazoo. 

Community members are welcome and invited to attend the meal, which costs $10 per person. Besides a meal (donated by local restaurants), guests have the opportunity to vote for the project they believe in the most. The project with the most votes will go home with the cash brought in that night.

At the last Feast, the Institute for New Leaders won the most votes for their project, which involves equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources needed to make change and take control of their lives and community. They will be offering an update on their project at the Dec. 19 Feast, including the progress of their project, the project's impact, and an account of their expenses. 

Urban Democracy Feast's guiding principles are direct democracy, accountability, and social justice. They welcome projects that also identify the public policies that are obstacles to social justice and direct democracy, and that propose other policies that can be implemented. 

Some examples of the projects they look forward to considering include: child care services for single parents who work the second and third shift; urban farms that sell to local non-franchise restaurants; worker owned co-operatives; a feminist hacker-space building open source software to challenge inequities in housing and hiring/pay policies; independent community media; a workplace violence and child abuse archive at legal defense office; divestment campaigns; a workers’ college; peoples’ budget for the city/county; or a scholarship request to study abroad and bring the research results back to Kalamazoo. 

The application deadline for this feast has passed, but Urban Democracy Feast plans to hold three more in the coming year. 

The doors open at 5 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. the event kicks off with an explanation of the FEAST process, followed by the four presentations. Childcare for toddlers and for pre-school children will be available in separate rooms, and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Donations of food to help make the feast a feast are still being accepted. Check out their website for more information, and the Facebook event page to receive notifications about the event. 

Writer: Kathi Valeii, Second Wave Media
Source: Urban Democracy Feast