DC

"Save our System" rally demands no more Metro fare hikes or service cuts

On the 29th of June, Metro bus and rail riders gathered outside the Columbia Heights Metro station to demand an end to fare hikes and service cuts, and that big developers and businesses that depend on Metrorail to make their billions pay their fare share of the cost of keeping the system running. A specific demand was a flat $2 fare for both bus and rail, and the restoration of late-night service.

Video highlights of the the Save Our System rally

Trump $35K/plate fundraiser for own re-election draws protesters

On the 28th of June, Donald Trump held a fundraiser for himself at Trump Hotel, drawing protesters on very short notice. Protesters invoked everything from Russiagate to Trump's war on women and the environmental record of his EPA chief Pruitt. Inside, dinner was $35,000 a plate, some paid as much as $110,000, and ABC News reported Trump raked in $10M from his very wealthy donors.

Video from a few minutes after Trump's motorcade arrived

Sign over plastic bare ass: You won't be covered

Warning: Thieves have rigged Union Station Bike racks for easy removal

The bicycle racks at Union Station in Washinton DC have become unsafe to lock a bicycle to, as bike thieves have removed many of the nuts holding the U-shaped racks to the concrete. In addition, many of them now have ordinary hex nuts, not the original security nuts holding them down. Anyone with a wrench can remove the hex nuts, and obviously someone is able to remove the security nuts as well. The steel bases on each end of the U sections are small enough to pass through a U-lock.

Video: gone in 60 seconds-your bike at Union Station

Here's the problem: missing or easily removed nuts permit bike thieves to remove the entire rack from your lock. If you didn't lock through a wheel and the frame, you just lost your bike

WERK for peace marches on Sen McConnell's home against "Trumpcare" health bill

Update June 27: GOP puts off vote until after July 4 recess after 6 GOP Senators say they will vote no, which would scuttle the bill.

On the 26th of June, the mostly GLBTQ group WERK for peace staged a dance party style march on the home of Sen majority leader Mitch McConnell. Upon arrival they threw heaps of biodegradeable confetti into the air while shutting down the entire block. WERK for Peace is demanding that Sen McConnell block Trump's healthcare bill, which would gut Medicaid and boot an estimated 22 million people off of health insurance.

Scenes from the march and at Mitch McConnell's house

Supreme Court restores part of Muslim Ban, protesters show up outside

On the 26th of June, the US Supreme Court let much of Trump's ban on Muslim travellers from six countries go into effect for 90 days. Those who could prove a connection to a US citizen or organizations were exempted. Several hours later, protesters assembled outside the Supreme Court, and attorneys were reported to be on their way to airports again.

Video-protesters chant "Here hate has no home" at SCOTUS

Antifa protest MPD free speech violations as alt-right stages dueling "free speech" rallies

On the 25th of June, the so-called "Proud boys," Richard Spencer, and Identity Evropa held a "free speech" protest on the Mall peddling a narrative that anti-fascists (antifa) oppose free speech. Rejecting the bait, anti-fascists descended instead on MPD's headquarters to condemn police violations of free speech rights such as the efforts to imprison Inauguration protesters for up to 80 years. A second counterprotest held the high ground over the fascists on the Lincoln Memorial steps, and a second fascist rally took place at the White House

Video from both the MPD protest and the fascist rally & counterprotest at the Lincoln Memorial

Protesting MPD's assault on free speech.

Indigenous activists rally outside Federal court status hearing for potential DAPL shutdown

On the 21st of June, Judge Boasberg held a status hearing in the Federal courthouse on Const Ave for the ongoing case between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Standing Rock Sioux concerning the Dakota Access Pipeline. This was to set a schedule to determine remedies for what he held last week to be the unlawful bypass by Donald Trump of normal pipeline approval processes. As the hearing went on, the Rising Hearts Coalition held a solidarity rally outside the courthouse.

Video from the rally ending with attorney reportback from court hearings

Memorial for slain Muslim teenager burned in Dupont Circle

Early morning on the 21st of June, a memorial for slain Muslim teenager Nabra Hassanen was burned in Dupont Circle. It has been placed the previous night during a "Justice for Nabra" vigil.

DCist thumbnails of after and before photos

Mayor Bowser raids another homeless camp to make way for condos

On the 20th of June at 10AM, DC Dept of Public Works trashed and removed tents and other property of homeless people camping under the railroad overpasses on K and L sts NE around 1st st NE. A construction project is going up between K and L sts just west of the tracks, the Washingon Post reports this is condos and rationalized the attack with a claim that yuppies were walking in the streets to avoid interacting with the homeless.

Here we have a condo project started right next to where the Mayor ordered trash collectors to remove another homeless tent city

DC Reinvest rallies at Wilson Building demanding DC govt cut ties to Wells Fargo

Related:Court finds Trump's approval of DAPL violated Federal law, ruling still to come on whether pipeline must be shut down

On the 15th of June, DC Reinvest continued their campaign against Wells Fargo with a round dance and rally at the Wilson Building. Wells Fargo is reviled by Indigenous activists today for their role in funding both the Dakota Access and Keystone pipelines.Wells Fargo is also infamous for their role in funding private prisons through the GEO Group. Under existing DC law, their recent Federal "failing grade" should disqualify them from DC government business.

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