Free DC

Your weekly roundup of ways to get involved in D.C. Plus, plenty of chances to plug into Free DC this week.

Two opportunities to get involved in the city this week, from @colleengrablick.bsky.social's Civics Roundup:
• Tuesday, Oct. 7: @freedcproject.bsky.social's Ward 3 campaign orientation
• Wednesday, Oct. 8: "Angry" hour for pissed-off optimists benefiting @peacefordc.bsky.social

Federal judge again blocks National Guard deployment to Oregon A federal judge late Sunday night blocked the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon, including hundreds of out-of-state soldiers.

A federal judge late Sunday night blocked the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon, including hundreds of out-of-state soldiers.

Judge blocks Trump from deploying California National Guard — or any Guard troops — in Oregon A federal judge barred Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Oregon after the California Guard was sent to the state Sunday.

This is great news for Oregon, and for the rule of law.

Now let's do it everywhere.

Civil rights jobs have been cut. Those ex-workers warn of ICE detention violations After layoffs, it's unclear how many people are policing civil rights violations inside the Department of Homeland Security, even as the Trump administration ramps up ICE detention.

After layoffs, it's unclear how many people are policing civil rights violations inside the Department of Homeland Security, even as the Trump administration ramps up ICE detention.

This victory supports what Oregonians already know: we don’t need or want Donald Trump to provoke violence by deploying federal troops in our state. I’ll keep working to stop Trump from fulfilling his perverse fantasy of making Portland the center of his assault on U.S. cities.

“More than 2,300 armed National Guard troops are currently patrolling the District unlawfully. That unprecedented deployment is inflicting irreparable harm to the District’s sovereignty, its economy, and public safety.”

A coalition of local legal advocates together with Amica Center for Immigrant Rights and Free DC are teaming up to offer weekly Know Your Rights sessions. Join the next one tomorrow at 12 PM on Zoom, or at an upcoming session that works for you: freedcproject.org/kyr

Thanks for uplifting the weekly Know Your Rights webinars, 51st friends! Here's the correct link to tomorrow's session: freedcproject.org/event-list/k...

A Metropolitan Police Department car is crumpled against a tree. Airbags are deployed and the car's doors are all open. The car is totaled and pieces of debris are scattered across the street.

There is a *lot* going on in Congress at the moment but incidents like this are why H.R. 5143, which would undo DC's high-speed chase law, is so dangerous, inappropriate, and needs to be stopped. www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c... (3/3)

Collisions like these can kill drivers and bystanders. That's why DC restricts high-speed police chases. But Republicans in Congress are trying to undo safety measures.

NPS has already re-authorized high-speed chases. Most are happening in Wards 7 and 8: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202... (2/3)

A Metropolitan Police Department car is crumpled against a tree. Airbags are deployed and the car's doors are all open. The car is totaled and pieces of debris are scattered across the street.

The back of a light blue Nissan Altima with its bumper on the ground and doors open. Firefighters are in the foreground looking away from the camera.

The forward part of a light blue Nissan Altima. Its front bumper has been ripped off the car and hangs at an angle on the ground. A firefighter in the foreground has their back to the camera.

On Monday on Alabama Avenue SE, an MPD SUV was racing southbound with sirens blaring when the officer driving smashed into a private vehicle and then a tree (1/3)

((taps mic))

DC has something to say about this — and so do our friends in Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Portland.

Press conference response at 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PT. Watch live at www.instagram.com/freedcproject/ or
www.youtube.com/@FreeDCProje...

Anna Heilferty and several other Dash players just put on Free DC shirts #nwsl

Thanks for being with us today, CCAN fam!

From today’s community lobby day, where we turned out to protect DC autonomy in federal budget passed this week! We made it clear: DC home rule stays, and that means no federal interference in our laws, budget, or democracy. As always, great to partner w/ @freedcproject.bsky.social #FreeDC

4 Ways Attorneys Can Volunteer Their Legal Services in DC Right Now - Washingtonian It's been a challenging month in DC, and many residents have expressed feelings of helplessness, looking for ways to support and aid their neighbors. Washington is teeming with attorneys, and there's…

Washington is teeming with attorneys, and there’s a few ways they can help vulnerable members of our community.

In response someone exclaims, "This ISN'T America — we don't have voting rights!"

Pirro replies, "What are you talking about? You have the DC Council."

Audience member: "Congress overturns our laws."

Pirro: "Congress does a lot of federal legislation. You're no different than anywhere else."

A second person asks about a neighbor who was detained by ICE and released hours later with a broken arm.

Pirro responds, "This is America."

Jeanine Pirro is currently speaking at MPD 3D. A questioner in the live audience asked her if she was trying to get our billion dollars back.

She had no idea what they were talking about.

DC Community Lobby Day — Free DC DC needs the Senate to end the occupation, block the 13+ bills attacking DC, and reject the 20+ budget riders that would freeze our funds. Community members are invited to join us on September 29 for ...

I am supporting @freedcproject.bsky.social's Senate Lobby Day next MONDAY. RSVP at the link below to join us in meeting with Senate offices and asking them to vote NO on the bills advancing the DC Trump takeover freedcproject.org/event-list/d...

JUST IN: A new class action lawsuit challenges ICE's warrantless immigration arrests in Washington, D.C., which they say are occuring without probable cause and based largely on perceived ethnicity.

www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

Our statement on Trump's most recent Executive Order, promoting the death penalty in DC.

When the President calls for the DOJ to target his political opponents—AND publicly—that’s a sign we’re heading for increasing authoritarian behavior.

We’re going to have to fight like hell to protect our democracy.

Keya Chatterjee on No Kings and #FreeDC: We're gonna have some Go-Go music when we come out on October 18th in DC! We are going to prioritize joy because that is what is going to get us through this movement is joy and community.

@freedcproject.bsky.social @keyachatterjee.bsky.social

Dems need to get serious about DC statehood. For real. No more pussyfooting. With troops in the streets, the time is now.

“Imagine if Congress declared Wyoming a Federal Natural Resource District…managed by the government and no longer have congressional representation.

Republicans would of course be appalled. Disenfranchising 600,000 people who live in Wyoming would be immoral.”

"Crime is especially easy to exploit and use as a political tool. Everyone, regardless of how they vote, cares about safety." @repsummerlee.bsky.social

Rep. Lee: "Has the Trump administration reached out to the Council to ask you all what you need to help keep DC safe?"

Chair Mendelson: "They have not."

Rep. Lee: "Have you taken of the members of this Committee on a full tour of a DC neighborhood?"

Chair Mendelson: "I have tried to meet different members without success."

“You can introduce DEI laws but at the end of the day you are not going to erase Black people from the District of Columbia or any other place.”

Thank you @repsummerlee.bsky.social for your clarity of conscience and conviction. #FreeDC

Parents, we want to hear from you The 51st team has heard from a few readers who said their children are struggling emotionally in this challenging moment — for example, having nightmares after seeing armed National Guard in their…

D.C. parents! A few readers have told us their children are struggling emotionally with the federal takeover and increased local law enforcement presence.

We’re wondering: What strategies have you found to support your kids? And what information might help you in this challenging moment?