August 2014

A FAQ on D.C. Voting Rights, Representation, and Statehood

During my 12 years living in the District, I have heard a lot of questions about, and uninformed arguments against, D.C. congressional representation and/or statehood. But I had never been able to find a single list of those questions or criticisms with reasonable answers. I did a bit of research and put together this Q & A. If you like it, please feel free to distribute it however you wish. (You need not put my name on it.) Thank you!

What is the issue?

Ferguson Solidarity protesters march on Chinatown, shut down streets

On the 23ed of August, several hundred protesters marched on Chinatown demanding that Darren Wilson, the cop who shot Michael Brown, be charged with murder and that all cops be required to wear video cameras at all times. A speaker reported that a WNBA game was going on at the Verizon Center, so marchers went down 7th st to the heaviest crowds and closed intersections in Chinatown. These protests will continue every night at 7PM, meeting at Mt Vernon Square as on Aug 23.

Video of the march

Solidarity march for Ferguson Saturday night Aug 23

There will be a march in solidarity with those resisting police brutality in Ferguson, MO on Saturday, Aug 23. Meet up at 7PM Mt Vernon Square by the Convention Center, march through Chinatown.

Demands of Ferguson protesters

The mainstream media have gone out of their way to avoid posting demands made by Ferguson protesters. Here is one set published elsewhere by journalist Kevin Gosztola for Ferguson community organizers and ignored by the capitalist press.

Fergerson solidarity rally in Columbia Heights

On the 21st of August, DC residents gathered on the open plaza in Columbia Heights on 14th st to demand justice for Michael Brown, murdered by police in Fergerson, MO. At the rally there was talk of starting a serious Copwatch program here in DC to reduce the danger of a similar police shooting here.

Photo by Sam Jeweler

Small Ferguson solidarity protest at White House in defiance of denied permit

On the 20th of August a small number of protesters gathered at the White House after organizers of a intended larger protest were denied a permit to be there and very heavy rain rolled through the area. One protester asked if the police intend to kill her brother next, another asked simply "am I next," yet another carried a sign reminding all that police in the US evolved from the goons in the old South who hunted escaped slaves.

Video

Chesapeake Earth First! locks down at America's Natural Gas Alliance against fracking, gas export

On the morning of August 20th, Chesapeake Earth First! locked down blocking the front doors of the downtown office building housing ANGA or America's Natural Gas Alliance. The activists are demanding that ANGA stop lobbying for gas fracking and stop lobbying for Dominion's gas export plans at Cove Point on the Chesapeake Bay

Video of the lockdown

SS Dominion Titanic visits Solomons near Cove Point to oppose LNG export

On the 16th of August, the mock LNG tanker "SS Dominion Titanic" paid a port call to the town of Solomons on the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, MD. This was an educational visit by SEED (Stop Energy Exports and Destruction) to educate area residents about Dominion Energy's plans to rebuild the old liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal at Cove Point for exporting fracked gas.
Video of SS Dominion Titanic "port call" at Solomons

Cell Damage

Thousands rally for Michael Brown in Malcolm X Park

On the 14th of August, several thousand people in a very diverse crowd showed up for a rally billed as a "moment of silence" to remember Michael Brown, murdered by Ferguson, MO cops.

Video from the rally in Malcolm X Park

"News2share" Youtube video of smaller street march afterwards

DC Bike Party rides again

On the 13th of August, the DC Bike Party took to the streets again, with hundreds of riders. These rides are the second Wednesday of every month, departing Dupont Circle at 8PM. They sometimes attract over 600 riders.

1 min 50 sec video of the Aug 2014 DC Bike Party

Protesters against police killing of Michael Brown march on FBI from White House

On the 13th of August, protesters gathered in front of the White House to demand an end to police shootings of young African-American men and boys. The murder of Michael Brown(who was unarmed) by a cop in Ferguson, Missouri is the latest in a long line of unprovoked police shootings to spark outrage and protests. After enduring disruptors and troublemakers at the White House, protesters marched to the FBI chanting "hands up, don't shoot!" referring to the fact that Michael Brown was shot after raising his hands in surrender.

Video of the march

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