Local News/Neighborhoods

DC Council Candidates condemn Stop and Frisk, racist policing at ACLU candidate's forum

On the 30th of May, the ACLU hosted the #ReformDCJustice candidate's forum for DC Council Chair and at-large candidates. Two at-large candidates seeking to unseat Anita Bonds were present, Anita Bonds was a no-show. The ACLU, Black Lives Matter, and No Justice No Pride would have been a tough audience for a councilmember known to answer to big buisness and gentrifiers, and who attended Trump's inauguration. Issues from Stop and Frisk to sex work to Amazon's efforts to invade DC came up during the forum.

Video: Jeremiah Lowery on Amazon vs homeless funding, Lowery vs Goodwin on sex work legalization

Jobs With Justice 2018 May Day Parade

Jobs With Justice DC observed International Worker's Day 2018 with a May Day parade to construction sites in DC to bring awareness of subcontractors such as Power Design Inc. with a history of wage theft. Also highlighted were gentrification and the displacement of DC historic communities of color as well as salary abuses among restaurant and domestic workers. Video Link

Full house at St Stephens Town Hall against Amazon HQ2 coming to DC area

On the 22nd of May, a wide spectrum of community organizations held a town hall meeting at St Stephens Church to begin organizing strong opposition to proposals to locate Amazon.com's "HQ2" in DC, Montgomery County, MD, or in Northern VA. One of the speakers revealed that the sudden push to close the homeless shelter at DC General may be to clear the site for Amazon to build there.

Video highlights of the town hall plus author's observation on historical precedent of hospital closure for failed Olympic bid

Howard University occupation ends in victory with 7 of original 9 demands met

Late afternoon on the 6th of April, student negotiators emerged from a meeting with the Howard University trustees with a signed agreement in hand. Shortly therafter it was reported that the nine day occupation of the administration building has come to an end, the students having essentially won. Protest works, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Howard students hold rally outside Kwame Ture Student Center (former Admin building)

The 5th of April was the 8th day of the occupation of the former Adminstration building now known as the Kwame Ture Student Center at Howard University. Students marked the occasion with a spirited rally outside, and announced that negotiations are going well.

Video highlights of the rally

Students occupy administration building at Howard University

#huresist

On the 30th of March, students at Howard University occupied the main administration building at 2400 6th st. The adminstration attempted without succcess to get them out by turning off the HVAC and letting the building become quite hot inside. Demands included housing for all students under 21, stopping tuition hikes, disarming the Howard University Police, sacking the university President and many more.

Update Apr 6: Administration agrees to 7 of the 9 original demands, occupation ends in victory-protest WORKS!

Update Apr 4 8PM: Progress reported in negotiations, students at press conference report far more Howard Trustees now attending the negotiations. Emphasis on "transparency" as an overall demand

Update Apr 3 4:20PM: This is now the longest occupation in HU history

Update Apr 2 2:22PM: HU Trustee Rock Newman grabs at WUSA Cameraman's camera(this is assault)Rock Newman's video originally posted to twitter

Update April 2 2:10PM: Police attack does not materialize, occupation holding strong. Students rename Admin building Kwame Ture Student Center

Update April 1 10:30PM: Calm for the moment, no cops after earlier police buildup, and fears of forcible eviction if 9PM meeting w Board of Trustees went badly. Students chanted as board members entered, Trustees promised not to use violence to clear the building. Worries that MPD will be quietly told to do exactly that, followed by denials of responsibility. Watch this promise!

Update April 1 2PM: University agrees to one demand, extends housing deposit deadline to May 1. Negotiations with Board of Trustees ongoing, 8 demands to go.

Update March 30 7PM: University President still refusing to meet with students, Board of Trustees doubles down with statement of support for HU President Wayne A.I. Frederick.

Video-students chant and read out their demands inside the Administration building

Bozzuto's Maple View Flats/Starbucks construction site shut down by protesters two days in a row

On the 9th of March, protesters called to the scene by DC Councilmember Trayon White shut down Bozzuto's Maple View Flats construction site in Anacostia for the second day in a row. One of the anchors of the project is a Starbucks, whose products are not affordable for current Anacostia residents. The protest is because Bozzuto is refusing to hire local residents to work on the project and because gentrification projects are not welcome in Anacostia.

Video: Protesters shut down Maple View Flats construction Day 2

Protesters descend on the site

Slumlord Geoff Griffis gets home demo for Congress Heights

On the 10th of February, notorious "City Parners" slumlord Geoff Griffis received another protest at his Cleveland Park home over his ongoing efforts to force out the tenants of Congress Heights. Geoff Griffis' partner Sanford Capitol is attempting to duck a court order that the Congress Heights apartments not be sold to anyone other than a developer chosen by the tenants by transferring their interest to him.

Video highlights of the protest at slumlord Geoff Griffis' house

Tenants and allies in front of Geoff Griffis's house

Transit Equity Day rally held in front of Councilmember Jack Evan's car

Feb 5, 2018 was national Transit Equity Day. Here in DC, activists from several organizations stood between the doors of the Wilson Building and councilmember Jack Evan's parked car. Yes, the car he drives as WMATA board chairman instead of using Metro Center (across the street) was parked almost directly in line with the doorway to the Wilson Building, providing the perfect stage for transit advocates. The protest ran 4-5PM, as he normally leaves at about 4:30PM-but today Jack Evans refused to appear.

Video highlights of the transit protest in front of Jack Evan's car

Riders OBJECT to proposed DC Circulator route changes to favor private business over other riders

On the 4th of January, riders of the DC Circulator objected at a public hearing to proposed April 2018 "major service changes" that would favor upscale development on the Potomac Waterfront over existing bus riders and over nonprofit and governmental agencies and their workers.

Video highlights of the hearing (5 min 15 sec)

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