DC

Bowser imposes no-vending zone on BLM Plaza

Submitted by Luke on Mon, 07/13/2020 - 13:47

On the 12th of July, Mayor Bowser rolled out a new tactic to harass the ongoing occupation of 16th st, which she herself renamed "Black Lives Matter Plaza." A "No vending zone" was declared on the plaza, signs posted, and venders warned to leave or else. This tactic is normally used to protect corporate chain stores from competition.

Labor/Economics/Business
Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism

Fuck the Police march descends on DC Jail for noisy solidarity protest

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 07/12/2020 - 18:17

On the 11th of July, a fiesty "Fuck the Police" march out of Dupont Circle wound their way though wealthy areas of Capitol Hill chanting "Fire, fire, Gentrifier!" The march ended at DC Jail, where statements of support for people held captive inside were read and noisy chants reached those held inside. People held prisoner by the Enemy appeared at the windows to wave to protesters in response.

Video-march through gentrified areas ends w protest at DC Jail 1 min 6 sec

Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism

MPD arrests at least 9 BLM protesters on H st/BLM Plaza

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 19:21

On the 7th of July, some kind of minor skirmish on Black Lives Matter Plaza was used by MPD as an excuse to pounce on and arrest several Black Lives Matter protesters. From there matters escalated, and police were suspected of provoking fights to "sting" protesters. H st ended up blocked off by cops again, only to be effectively back in protester hands by sunset.

Video of arrests and assaults by MPD 4 min 21 sec from DC Media Group and Kate Kanterell raw clips

Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism

Jared Kushner gets early AM home demo against proposed W Bank annexation

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 18:52

On the 7th of July, activists from IfNotNow poured Trump adviser Jared Kusher a very strong cup of anti-occupation wakeup. The noisy protest in front of his home demanded that the US condition futher aid to Israel on cancellation of plans to annex 1/3ed of the occupied West Bank.

Video-blowing the shofar at Kusher's house 40 sec

Foreign Policy/Imperialism

DC Councilmember Allen gets all-night Defund MPD home demo before budget vote

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 00:07

Black Lives Mater activists are demanding that all DC Councilmembers vote NO on the budget until funding for MPD is entirely removed. On the night of July 6, eve of the vote, Black Youth Project 100 held an all-night protest at the home of Councilmember George Allen. Protesters demanded he come outside but he refused until the following morning.

Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism

Protesters chase fascists and Trumpers through July 4 crowds

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 07/05/2020 - 16:01

On the 4th of July, a toxic mix of Proud Boys, MAGAts (Trumpers) and other far-right supporters descended on DC seeking confrontations with Black Lives Matter protesters. They got their confrontations but not their desired outcome. The "Fuck the Police march" put them to flight, chasing them through the Washington Monument area and eventually back to their base at Harry's Bar.

Video: chasing the fash through the Monument area, and Harry's Bar gets shut down 5 min 29 sec

Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism
Right Wing

This is probably the best photo anyone got of the smoky chaos at the Monument. It made the rounds of listservs etc from someone's FB post.

BLM, anti-Fascists break up fascist anti-migrant rally on Freedom Plaza

Submitted by Luke on Sat, 07/04/2020 - 00:45

On the 3ed of July, a small crew of fascists and Trumpers from nearby Harry's Bar held an anti-migrant hate rally on Freedom Plaza. Black Lives Matter supporters and antifascists descended on them to counterprotest. Cops held them apart until a second BLM contingent came in behind the police. At that point, cops folded their hand, and the fascists had to literally strike (lower) their flags and leave.

Video: BLM and antifascists shut down anti-migrant hate rally 1 min 21 sec

Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism
Right Wing

Counterprotesters literally forced a fascist/MAGAt rally to strike their flags

Palestinians, allies protest Israel's planned annexation of 1/3 of West Bank

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 07/03/2020 - 15:27

Israel had originally planned to announce annexation of about 1/3 of the Occupied West Bank on July 1, only to have to delay in the face of "Day of Rage" protests throughout Palestine and worldwide (excluding Trump) opposition. A protest at the Israeli Embassy proceeded anyway on July 3, warning that delay does NOT mean Israel has abandoned the planned annexation.

Video: speaker warns against being fooled by postponement of W Bank annexation announcement 18 sec

Foreign Policy/Imperialism
World Uprisings

FTP March raids another fine dining restaurant, visits Mayor Bowser's house

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 07/01/2020 - 19:33

On the last day of June, a "Fuck the Police" march set out from Columbus Circle in front of Union Station. The march stormed an expensive restaurant en route to Black Lives Matter Plaza. From there they successfully marched to Mayor Bowser's house, despite being outnumbered 5-1 by cops at one point.

Video: diner at restaurant wades into protesters to argue-WITHOUT A MASK 1 min 20 sec

Police/Legal/Prisons
Race/Racism

"While you are dining, Black people are dying"

Excluded Workers rally demands relief benefits for informal sector workers

Submitted by Luke on Mon, 06/29/2020 - 14:35

On the 29th of June, the Excluded Workers Rally and motorcade demanded an end to the exclusion of informal sector workers from unemployment benefits. This includes day laborers, sex workers, undocumented workers, and many others in the informal economy. None have been receiving benefits as the virus has decimated their trades like so many others.

Labor/Economics/Business

Photo by GU Kalmanovitz

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