DC

On the 5th of May, high-level Saudi and Israeli officials met at the so-called "Mandarin Oriental" hotel in SW DC. Code Pink got a team inside before they were escorted back out. Code Pink then set up a noisy "teach-in" protest outside. Everyone in earshot heard about how both the Saudis and Israelis are among the worst human rights violators and sponsors of war in the entire Middle East. The Saudis were also called out for beheading people just like Daesh(ISIS) does and for planning to behead and crucify young Ali Nimr because his uncle was a (recently beheaded) prominant Shiite cleric. Saudi Arabia and Israel are both famous for being states founded on religion, also much like Daesh.

Video from Code Pink's protest including them being escorted away from the hotel and aggressive action against a journalist

On the 3ed of May, members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1764 showed up at the DC Circulator's garage in NE to demand that First Transit pay the Circulator's drivers a living wage. The DC Circulator is outsourced to First Transit, so their drivers are not covered by ATU's contract with Metrobus. Circulator drivers are paid a full $10 an hour less than Metrobus drivers to do the exact same work due to this outsourced contract. ATU is now in the third round of contract negotiations with First Transit in an effort to get fair pay for DC Circulator drivers.

On the 26th of April, members of a number of environmental organizations held a rally outside the Marriot on 12th st near Metro Center denouncing the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. Afterwards they sought to enter the "Open House" being held inside for a draft version of the environmental impact statment. The person in a polar bear costume was denied entry to the building, security guards collected people's signs on the way in-and they moved to interfere with anyone shooting photos or videos in the lobby.

Video showing an Alaska Native speaker followed by what happened when the polar bear and then an Indymedia photographer tried to participate in this "public event"

Purvi Patel is serving 20 years of a 46 year "feticide" sentence in Indiana over a use of pills ordered online for a self-induced abortion that left her in the hospital. Donald Trump has called for, then tried to retract his call for imprisoning women like Purvi for illegal abortions. The Susan B Anthony List and other antichoice groups have been attempting to distance themselves from Trump's call for prison terms. On the 21st of April the Susan B Anthony List held a high-profile dinner at the Andrew Mellon Auditoriam on Constitution Ave. Outside, protesters held a vigil demanding the "walk the walk" by issuing a statement calling for Purvi Patel's release.