DC

Pride goes on in defiance of Orlando attack by Daesh

Submitted by Luke on Sun, 06/12/2016 - 21:12

Early AM on the 12th of June, a gunman swearing alliegance to Daesh (ISIS) shot up a Gay bar in Orlando, FL, killing over 50 people and wounding over 50 more. A second attack was defeated in California when the attacker ran afoul of police. In defiance of the attacks, hundreds of thousands showed up at DC's Capitol Pride festival, the second day of a two-day event. Days earlier, the Washington Blade ran a cover showing Donald Trump wagging his finger and warning GLBTQ people to "Enjoy Pride-it may be your last." The day that was widely circulated was the same day Donald Trump spoke before the anti-Gay group Concerned Women for America. Daesh is but one of many theocratic ememies of GLBTQ rights.

Video from both the July 11 parade and the July 12 festival

Gender/Sexuality/Identity

Overall scene at Capitol Pride

Pride goes on in face of attacks

Code Pink disrupts Trump speech at Omni Shoreham

Submitted by Luke on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 12:48

On the 10th of June, Donald Trump spoke before the "Road to Majority" conference, an event sponsored by the allegedly faith-based far-right group Concerned Women for America. Outside, protesters called out the hypocrisy of this, given that all major religions condemn the kind of xenophobia and hate Trump is peddling. About ten minutes into Trump's speech, Code Pink activists disrupted him and were expelled by force.

Video of initial protest outside and later disruption of Trump's speech

Elections/Legislation/Government
Race/Racism
Protesting and disrupting Trump's hate in DC

DC Statehood 'Berning'

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 02:11

 

DC Statehood 'Berning'

 

 

 

9/11
AIDS
Animal Rights
Anti-War/Peace
Civil Liberites/Constitution
Civil Rights/Equal Rights
Commentary/Op-ed
Drugs
Elections/Legislation/Government
Environment/Food/Health
Foreign Policy/Imperialism
Gender/Sexuality/Identity
Globalization/Anti-globalization
Housing/urban Issues/Gentrification
Human Rights
Immigration
Iraq/Afghanistan
Labor/Economics/Business
Local News/Neighborhoods
Media
Military/Weapons
Miscellaneous
Police/Legal/Prisons
Poverty
Race/Racism
Youth Education

Twitter photo: Harry Jaffe, The Washingtonian 6/9/16

Special DC Bike Party rides for Capitol Pride

Submitted by Luke on Thu, 06/09/2016 - 19:35

The Wed, June 8 DC Bike Party was an official part of DC's "Capitol Pride" GBLTQ Pride Week. Despite having been rescheduled from the previous Friday over thunderstorms, hundreds of bicycle riders turned out.

Video of the DC Bike Party Pride Ride

Culture/Entertainment
Gender/Sexuality/Identity
DC Bike Party Pride Ride

Code Pink disrupts Israeli Army colonel's appearance at the Newseum

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 06/07/2016 - 17:58

On the 7th of June, Israel ret Lt Colonel Avital Leibovich had the nerve to speak at the Newseum despite her choice to defend the killing of three reporters by the Israeli Army during one of Israel's many invasions of Gaza. Code Pink got inside and got behind her with multiple banners before being removed by force.

Video originally posted to Youtube by the Electronic Intifada

Anti-War/Peace
Foreign Policy/Imperialism
Confronting Israel's former IDF spokesperson at the Newseum

Metro construction/partial shutdown leads to near gridlock

Submitted by Luke on Tue, 06/07/2016 - 02:17

The 6th of June was the first day of Metro's emergency "Safe Track" repair program. Construction is being done in a staged manner and started with only delays and not the coming closures. This still put enough extra cars on the road to put some intersections dangerously close to literal gridlock, as some drivers got caught in the intersections as lights changed. Drivers are told to never, ever enter the intersection until there is room to get back out of it, but will disregard this if they fear turning cars will otherwise take the space. If adjacent intersections get blocked this way, the result can be a spreading nightmare of traffic that cannot escape until the gridlock is taken apart from the outside in.

Video showing drivers blocking the box during severe traffic on 16th st about 5:30PM June 6, 2016

Local News/Neighborhoods
Metro Safe Track traffic mess Day 1

Virginians Against Trump marches to Capitol against hate

Submitted by Luke on Mon, 06/06/2016 - 17:50

On the 6th of June, "Virginians Against Trump" marched from the White House to the Capitol to protest the racist candidacy of Donald Trump for president. This was a small but diverse group including supporters of both major parties united by opposition to Trump. The small size and reality that Facebook promises don't equate to turnout reminded me of the first Black Lives Matter rally for Michael Brown rally at the White House in Sumnmer 2014. There too it was apparently the organizer's first time out-but nowhere near the last.

Video Highlights of the march and people's responses

Elections/Legislation/Government
Virginians Against Trump

Pro-Palestine/BDS activists protest inside Fidelity Investments over AirBnB settlement activity

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 16:18

On the 3ed of June, as the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza reached 50 years, BDS activists managed to get inside the offices of Fidelity Investments on K st. Fidelity is a major investor in the notorious house-sharing firm AirBnB, known locally as a driver of gentrification. Globally they are known for being active in Israeli Settlements, renting out stolen homes to tourists.

Video from the protest inside Fidelity

Anti-War/Peace
Foreign Policy/Imperialism
Outside Fidelity just after protesters had been inside to deliver BDS petitions

Protest held at OAS against attacks on Venezuala in wake of Brazil coup

Submitted by Luke on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 18:57

On Tuesday, the 31st of May OAS secretary general Luis Almagro called an "emergency meeting" to discuss suspending Venezuela from the OAS. On Wednesday, the 1st of June, supporters of Venezuelan president Maduro showed up in front of the OAS's DC building calling for impeaching Almagro, the president of the OAS instead of overthrowing Venezuelan president Maduro. The two right-wing counterprotesters were outnumbered by Venezuelan citizens at the protest outraged at the OAS attacking their country and fearing a coup may be in the works.

Video-counterprotester says pro-Madura protesters "would be shot in the head"-but by own government or the planned "nonviolent coup?"

Foreign Policy/Imperialism

Video: Critical Mass Bike rides still riding in DC

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 05/28/2016 - 14:06

On the 27th of May, a Critical Mass bike ride took to the streets of DC with well over 50 riders. Although nowhere near the size of the DC Bike Parties that can attract up to 600 riders, the Critical Mass rides are still taking place. They began in late 2001 and currently leave Dupont Circle shortly after 8PM on the last Friday of every month, the international day of Critical Mass rides. They have changed much since their anarchist and antiwar origins in DC back in 2001, but the core concept of a swarm of bikers taking to the streets remains.

Video of the May 27th Critical Mass including (at end) a car driver trying to order all riders off the street only to be shouted down

Environment/Food/Health

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