Thanks to contributions from more than 40 Greenbelters, Moechella 2020 @Franklin Park will bring a musical caravan, concert and lively community discussion to Greenbelt West on Saturday, September 26.
Following a festive procession through Franklin Park led by one of Washington, D.C.’s most exciting go-go bands, musicians and community members will gather to explain and discuss the event’s four goals: to promote voter registration, reduce violence, build community solidarity and assist rental families in danger of eviction from their homes.
Moechella is a movement of musicians and community committed to promoting the culture and well-being of residents of the D.C. area. The term combines the Black slang “moe” (for a close friend or homeboy/homegirl) with “chella” after the West Coast music festival Coachella. Rolling Stone and Salon have described D.C.’s Moechella as using the power of go-go to bring people together in the fight for Black lives.
Greenbelt’s Moechella will be open to all, especially those who have not yet registered to vote, those who rent their homes, neighborhoods affected by violent crime and all who are concerned about heightened community tensions nationally and locally.
About 6,000 Greenbelt households, the majority of the city’s population, rent their homes – about half of these are tenants in Franklin Park. Based on national estimates that 20 to 30 percent of renting families are having difficulty keeping up with rent payments due to the pandemic, 1,500 or more Greenbelt families may be in danger of losing their homes through eviction in coming months.
Information on voting and eviction relief will be available at the event, including what individuals can do besides voting to assist a preferred candidate for the White House and to identify local judges who will determine the kind of justice available in our area.
Next week’s News Review will provide the schedule and route of the caravan and concert, as well as speakers and endorsers.
Organizer LaWann Stribling, a Greenbelt businesswoman and social activist, is calling for more financial contributors and for volunteers to spread the word in the coming days and to assist at the event. Getting the word out is especially important because many rental buildings do not permit distribution of the News Review in their buildings. To volunteer and/or contribute, email Stribling at StribbleTreats@gmail.com or leave a message at 301-526-1473.