June 2018

Pro bike racers run in N Va

On the 9th and 10th of June, pro bike racers returned to the streets of Clarendon and Crystal City, for the Clarendon and Crystal cups respectively. With the furious resistance mounted by marginalized communities against corporatization of events like Pride, it can be shocking to see the degree of overt corporatization (and militarization in this case) in pro bike racing.

Video from the 2018 Crystal Cup, second race of the series

Did MPD march unofficially in 2018 Capitol Pride parade?

The official list of contingents in the 2018 Capitol Pride parade did not include MPD, and there was a long time with nothing on the route before another, different contingent appeared to step off the parade. None the less, David Thurston got a photo of MPD officers escorted by two Pride staffers marching the route, possibly well ahead of the rest of the parade

Related video: NJNP "Cops off K" march 11PM June 9

David Thurston's photo of armed MPD officers marching on the parade route

Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign pitches camp in Dupont Circle

On the 9th of June, as Capital Pride crowds began to build, the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign pitched camp in Dupont Circle. They had just arrived in DC, ending their march from Kensington, Philadelphia. They marched from the poorest neighborhood in Philly to one of the richest in DC and pitched camp in the circle.

Youtube video:Bruce Wright from the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign speaks at Dupont during Pride(Vision Planet Media, 5:07)

The Poor People's Campaign in Dupont Circle during Pride

Pride festival a mixed bag of corporate and tradtional themes

The June 10, 2018 Capital Pride festival offered a mixed bag of traditional GLBTQ themes and corporate booths. Here more than at the parade the Capital Pride board's refusal to meet demands of No Justice No Pride was on display. An MPD contingent was at the very periphery but present, and recruiters for the CIA and similar agencies were present. Especially disappointing in a world of price-gouging on HIV and similar drugs was the presence of a Gilead Sciences booth: this is the company charging $1,000 a pill for a Hepatitis C drug.

Wells Fargo contingents not seen in DC's least corporate Pride in years

On the 9th of June,Wells Fargo apparently did not march in the Capitol Pride parade. They were not seen from a vantage point near Dupont Circle where every contingent could be seen, and neither they nor MPD appeared on the Pride Guide's list of parade participants. David Thurston reports MPD's "LGBT Liason unit" led the parade, but they were far out front, unknown if they were an official contingent.

Video highlights of the most traditional, least corporate Pride parade in years in DC

Second J20 case ends in mixed mistrials and acquittals

On the 4th of June, the first of four defendents in the second J20 trial group was acquitted of all charges, and all charges dropped against the remaining defendents who were to begin trial that day in another trial group. On the 6th of June, another defendent was acquitted of all but one charge, with the jury deadlocked on the final charge of "participating in a riot." On the 7th of June, the third defendent was acquitted of APO and the jury deadlocked on all other charges. Finally, a mistrial was declared on all counts against the fourth and final defendent, the jury deadlocked.

Unicorn Riot got this photo of a cop who testified at the last J20 trial in this pro-brutality T-shirt

The Shortwave Report 06/08/18 Listen Globally!

Dear Radio Friend,     This week's show features stories from Spanish National Radio, NHK World Radio Japan, and Sputnik Radio.        From SPAIN- Alison Hughes begins with a report on the ousting of Spanish PM Rajoy by a vote of no confidence in the parliament. 29 members of Rajoy's Popular Party were convicted of crimes including embezzlement, money laundering and bribes. Pedro Sanchez, a Socialist, became the new head of state through a coalition including Catalan separatists.

Rev Hagler arrested with Poor People's Campaign in US Capitol Rotunda

The 5th of June marked the 4th week of the Poor People's Campaign of civil disobedience at the US Capitol and at statehouses across the continent. In this week's protest, Reverend Hagler was one of many protesters arrested inside the US Capitol rotunda

Video including scenes of Rev Hagler at the protest inside the US Capitol Rotunda

Rev Hagler taking a lead role as activists march to the Capitol visitor center

Remembering the Nakba, Dupont Circle, 2018

Remembrances on the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, or catastrophe, as Palestinians refer to the events of 1948 leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and the creation of Israel, one day after the Trump administration moved the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Video Link

Sex workers, allies rally for decrim bill and against SESTA/FOSTA

On the 2nd of June, sex workers and their allies rallied in Ward 6, home of DC Councilmember Charles Allen. Allen will decide the fate of a bill introduced by Councilmember David Grosso to decriminalize sex work in DC. The closure of sites like Backpage.com in the wake of the SESTA/FOSTA bills has created a crisis, with many sex workers becoming homeless as there is less money to be made working the streets as well as much greater risk.

Video-speaker rip the Backpage shutdown, David Grosso offers his support, and why this was in Ward 6

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