Government of the District of Columbia
Executive Office of the Mayor
Office of Cable Television

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 9, 2013

CONTACT: Kenneth Borden 202.671.0057, Kenneth.Borden@dc.gov

Office of Cable Television, Centric, Office of the Secretary, Commission on the Arts & Humanities and Councilmember Vincent Orange Present
DC Emancipation Day Great Debate

WHAT: The DC Emancipation Day Great Debate - commemorating the freeing of slaves in Washington, DC - will address key matters affecting African Americans today. The economy, unemployment, poverty, health care, education, gun violence and gay marriage are all topics to be discussed in the 90 minute program.

The debate will be broadcast "LIVE" on DCN on Comcast, RCN and Verizon Channels 16; will be streamed live @ http://bit.ly/DCN_LIVE and CentricTV.com and will be rebroadcast on DCN and Centric on a date TBA later.

The DC Emancipation Day Great Debate is free and all are welcome to attend. Tickets are available now at http://EmancipationDay.eventbrite.com/

WHO: Reverend Al Sharpton (Minister, Civil Rights Activist, Radio and MSNBC Television Host)
Dr. Julianne Malveaux (Author, Economist and President Emerita of Bennett College for Women)
Niger Innis (National Spokesman, Congress of Racial Equality and National Outreach Director, TheTeaParty.net)
Star Parker (Founder and President, Center for Urban Renewal and Education; Syndicated Columnist, Author, and Political Activist)
Moderator Ed Gordon (Award Winning Journalist and BET News Anchor)

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2013
6:00 p.m. Event / 5:00 p.m. Doors Open

WHERE: The Historic Lincoln Theatre
1215 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009

MEDIA CHECK-IN: 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.

EVENT TAPING: 6:00 p.m. Sharp

CREDENTIALS: All media outlets interested in attending DC Emancipation Day Great Debate should contact Eric E. Richardson at eric.richardson@dc.gov with your request.

BACKGROUND: On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed The DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 ending slavery in Washington, DC; freeing 3,100 individuals; reimbursing those who had legally owned them and offered the newly freed women and men money to emigrate. It is this legislation, and the courage and struggle of those who fought to make it a reality that Washington, DC commemorates every April 16, DC Emancipation Day.

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The DC Office of Cable Television (OCT) is the District Government Agency responsible for regulating cable television in the District, as well as the administration of the District's Government Access Channels TV-13, DCN and the District's Education Access Channel DKN. OCT creates content that informs, educates and entertains viewers via the District of Columbia's public, educational and government (PEG) channels and other forms of content outlets. The award winning content provides resourceful information on government activity, education, current events, history and arts and entertainment. Through its three cable television channels, OCT provides public access to the governmental process, and insights into life in the District.

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