Washington, D.C. – Community members joined David Black, a DC native who was incarcerated for 26 years, and his attorneys on July 21 for a press conference and rally to demand that the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) does not oppose his Motion to Vacate his wrongful conviction.

The event was organized by the DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (DCAARPR), joined by Museum Square Tenant’s Association, Save Chinatown DC, 50501 DC, and the International League of Peoples Struggles Baltimore-DMV.

In 1997, Black was convicted, with zero physical evidence, for the murder of Alice Chow, a beloved community member in Chinatown. Black was 21 years old and sentenced 50 years to life. Chow was killed by a stray bullet near the Museum Square Apartments as she walked home from church along K Street NW. Her death shocked the community and rattled the police, who, at the time, had one of the lowest homicide closure rates in the nation.

At the press conference, organizers announced the emergence of new evidence that proves Black’s innocence. Larry Johnson, the foundation of the government's case against Black, testified under oath that he was beaten and threatened with jail time by MPD Officer Roger Venzin, who also threatened Johnson’s family if he did not identify Black as the shooter. The only other witness in the case recanted back in 1997, saying that she was also coerced by police. Further, physical evidence proves that the facts of the case do not match up with the eyewitness testimony that was used to convict Black. He was not even in the area when the crime took place and had no idea how he was implicated.

“If we believe they are comfortable doing what they did to him, beating witnesses into false confessions, we believe they are comfortable because it is part of a pattern,” said Merawi Gerima of DCAARPR. “As you can see, wrongful convictions are a huge problem in America, and Black’s case is an icon of the great tragedies and miscarriages of justice against Washingtonians.”

Speaking on this, Black said, “No one ever imagines this could happen to them. It could happen to any one of us. What are we going to do to stop it from happening to the next person?”

The press conference connected the struggles between the Asian population in Chinatown DC and the neighboring Sorsum Corda, a low-income area hit hard by the impacts of the crack epidemic, where Black grew up. The police officers responsible for Black’s incarceration were members of the Asian Liaison Task Force.

Members of the Museum Square Tenant Association (MSTA), which represents a community of working-class Asian and Black longtime DC residents who have resisted displacement for more than a decade, spoke at the press conference in solidarity and discussed how the gentrification in that area was fueled by the same police that targeted Black.

A MSTA statement noted, “It is a matter of historical fact that policing has not been designed for, nor produced, greater safety or justice in Chinatown – its focus has, rather, been the protection of a particular development agenda built upon the exclusion, displacement, and criminalization of Black, brown, and immigrant communities, the targeting of our community's vulnerable including youth and the unhoused, and the pitting of communities of color against one another. We stand firmly in support of justice for Black and join the call for his immediate exoneration and for police to be held accountable for their crimes.”

Gerima stated, “Nobody was made safer by the wrongful conviction of David Black in Chinatown, in Museum Square Apartments, because police beat and coerced witnesses into wrongfully convicting this man. Police accountability and public safety are two sides of the same coin. We have to hold the police accountable for the things they do and do not do in our communities.”

Black was released from federal prison under the Second Chance Act, which means that he was let out of prison, but still has a record of being convicted of murder. This causes him to struggle navigating life post-release as someone with a felony conviction. Some challenges include things like rejection by employers and landlords. Black requires his conviction to be vacated, and he must be granted a Certificate of Innocence to move on with his life.

Black said, “I have problems with getting a job. Several times, I’ve gotten a job and a start date, but then when they find out I have a conviction, they take the job back from me. After being a productive citizen, I can’t get a job. I’ve been having a lot of issues since I’ve come home. It’s not easy and I need more help.”

The press conference ended with a noise demonstration in front of the USAO building, where protesters chanted, “Justice for David Black!” and “We want justice, you say how? Clear David Black right now!”

The USAO has until September 1 to respond to Black’s Motion to Vacate. DCAARPR demands the USAO not oppose the Motion to Vacate and Black’s pursuit of a Certificate of Innocence. Further, DCAARPR demands the officers involved in his wrongful conviction be held accountable and reaffirms their commitment to the fight for community control of the police.

DCAARPR is raising money to support Black in his fight for justice and help him cover basic necessities. To donate and keep up with the case, follow @DCAARPR on Instagram, or donate directly to @DCAARPR on PayPal and Venmo.

#WashingtonDC #DC #InjusticeSystem #DavidBlack

Washington, D.C. – On July 27, around 100 people mobilized in front of the Philippines’ embassy to give their annual People’s State of the Nation Address (PSONA) and to expose the true relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines.

The march started from Stead Park as organizers were handing out fliers to passersby and constructing a large effigy of President Donald Trump, President Bong Bong Marcos Jr., and Ambassador of the Philippines to the U.S. Jose Manuel del Gallego Romualdez. The effigy stood tall and exemplified the relationship between the three individuals.

Trump stood front and center sporting devil horns, Marcos at one side held a large bag of pesos symbolizing the upwards of 80% of remittances that the Filipino government takes from migrant workers in the U.S., and Romualdez at the other side holding up a bloodied peace sign. The effigy was constructed by over 40 people and was placed at the head of the march to the Embassy of the Philippines.

Once the group reached the embassy, they took over the streets and began their program. Next to the effigy were three people satirically dressed up as Trump, Marcos Jr., and Romualdez, with Trump carrying leashes connected to the other two’s necks.

A member of Anakbayan DC spoke on a recent campaign stating, “Iris is a local youth activist who traveled to Los Angeles to attend the Kalayaan Summit, which successfully gathered the largest convening of Filipinos this country has ever seen. Despite being able to travel to LA, on the way back home, there were complications with TSA and getting a confirmed ID. Iris was not allowed by TSA to travel back home. Without a clear way home, Iris requested help from the LA consulate. She asked for help with notarization, access to Assistance to Nationals (ATN) funds, and also travel documents. However, the Filipino consulate of LA denied this request, saying they only give ATN funds to migrants in distress. But we know that this is one of the many falsehoods that the Filipino government uses to hoard funds that never make it to the Filipino masses.”

During the speech, an SUV broke through the marshal security line and sped through the protest, though no one was struck or hurt. The police and Secret Service were present; however, they did nothing.

A member from Bayan DMV spoke about their experience trying to give a letter to the embassy right before the mobilization, stating, “This letter detailed the conditions of hundreds of Filipino seafarers that are currently being targeted and detained by ICE and CBP. We were simply there to demand that the government provide assistance, and do you know what they did? They gave us the runaround. They locked the doors on us. They told us that we need to have an appointment, that we need to email, that we need to call, and these are things we’ve done time and time again. The consulate ignored us, rejected us, and they called us ‘insincere,’ but they have exposed themselves for not caring about our kababayan. They even barred one of our members from entering the consulate for five years; simply because we demand they do their jobs.” After the speech were calls from the crowd for Ambassador Romualdez to “do your job or step down!”

Rob Cheng, a member of About Face: Veterans Against the War told the crowd, “Did the U.S. military actions in Venezuela and the blockade of Cuba, did that make the people of Latin America safer? When the U.S. worked with Israel to launch their illegal war against the sovereign people of Iran, did that make the Middle East any safer?” The crowd responded “No!” in unison. Cheng continued, “So why do we kid ourselves thinking the U.S. having military bases in the Philippines, Japan and South Korea makes the people of Asia any safer?” He ended his speech with a rallying cry, “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air! U.S. out of everywhere!”

The program ended with the crowd fervently destroying the “three-headed beast” effigy of Trump, Marcos Jr. and Romualdez.

#WashingtonDC #DC #Philippines #PeoplesStruggles

Washington, D.C. – On July 20, community organizations gathered for an emergency press conference at the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) with the legal team and family of Nolberto Sanabria Meza, a father and husband killed during a U.S. Park Police chase. The press conference discussed massive developments in the case and their struggle for justice.

The event was held by the DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (DCAARPR), partner organizations and attorneys E. Paige White and Bernadette Armand to discuss the enormous implications of USAO’s refusal to prosecute for the killing of Meza, which happened 30 days earlier, when Park Police initiated a reckless police chase under the pretext of stopping a stolen vehicle.

During the course of the chase which caused two crashes, Meza, a moped delivery driver, was struck and killed, and several diplomats were hospitalized. The driver and passengers of the allegedly stolen vehicle were arrested and charged with stealing the car and killing Meza. Shockingly, all charges against them were quickly dropped by the USAO, including the theft and the murder, citing insufficient probable cause. The family has still not received answers from the USAO, Park Police, or Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

“There are cameras everywhere. And yet the USAO says that they don’t have enough evidence to charge the individuals in the case with murder,” said attorney E. Paige White. She continued, “And so the question then becomes, who killed Mr. Meza? Was it the stolen car? Was it the police? Why did this chase begin? Release the videotapes and the surveillance footage, showing the chase, showing the murder of my client!”

This particular chase happened due to rollbacks by the Trump administration of protections against federal police chases. Federal and local police chases were previously banned in DC except for in the most extreme cases, due to an incident in 2020, when Karon Hylton Brown was killed after being chased by MPD for ten blocks while he was riding a scooter. Trump signed an executive order which expanded policy to allow federal chases last summer around the time he declared a bogus “crime emergency” as pretext for his federal takeover of DC.

Discussing Park Police’s previous no-chase policy at the White House, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, an official from the Trump administration said, “We got that rule changed in 24 hours because of President Trump’s leadership. The next night, they had so much fun. They pulled people over, they started to take off, they chased ‘em, they stopped ‘em.”

Merawi Gerima of DCAARPR said, “Trump signed this EO with the express intent of unleashing federal agents in DC last summer, telling them to ‘chase until the wheels fall off.’ In the first six weeks of that executive order, Park Police themselves had 22 chases. 18 resulted in crashes.” Gerima continued, “The people dying and being hospitalized by these chases are not the police and are often not the drivers of the cars they are chasing. They are bystanders like Nolberto Meza.”

“What happened to Mr. Meza is not only foreseeable but is a predictable outcome of this dangerous executive order, and we stand together with the community to say ‘shame!’” White said.

The fact that charges were dropped on the owners of the vehicle is extremely suspicious, given that it's coming from the same Trump Department of Justice which has been aggressively targeting Black youth for exactly these types of cases for the last year. The implications of Park Police being unable to clear the very low bar of probable cause in this case are enormous.

DCAARPR and its partner organizations continue to call for Justice for Nolberto Meza, and demand the identification and charging of the Park Police agents, the release of all information and footage, financial reparations to the family, and policy changes so an incident like this never happens again.

Those policy changes include the ban of federal and local police chases, the abolition of the Safe and Beautiful Task Force, and critically, community control of the police.

Nolberto’s nieces need to repatriate his body to Venezuela, where the rest of his family is currently living. This process has been made even more difficult and expensive with the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

To donate and keep up with the case, follow @dcaarpr and @dcagainsttrump on Instagram.

#WashingtonDC #DC #InjusticeSystem #DCAARPR #PoliceChase #KillerCop #NolbertoMeza

Washington D.C. – On Sunday, July 19, close to 100 community members took to the streets to demand an end to the U.S. siege of Iran. The demonstration was organized by local D.C. group Anti-War Committee DMV and was attended by many from local mosques and Iranian communities who heard about the action.

The action began in front of the White House, where attendees began gathering to unravel their Iranian flags, and was the most noticeable presence on Pennsylvania Avenue that weekend. Organizers had announced the action only a couple days before, and immediately the Iranian communities of the D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas began mobilizing.

“U.S. imperialists – number one terrorists!” chanted Katie Sayour with the Anti-War Committee DMV, before addressing the crowd on the state of Trump’s aggression towards Iran. While on the mic, she was greeted with chants from the families who attended, expressing their enthusiasm to be fighting for Iran’s sovereignty.

Jennifer Koonings, a prominent anti-imperialist journalist, spoke about her most recent trip to Iran during the demonstration, “I was met with such love, the Iranian people were truly the most welcoming I have ever met.” She also spoke on the importance of those within the belly of the beast to be engaged in anti-imperialist struggle, “It’s especially our responsibility, as people in America, whose tax dollars are being used to fund the bombing of Iran.”

The strong sense of Iranian identity and faith was clear throughout the sentiments of the attendees. Mothers who were a part of the demonstration offered prayers, while attendees brought close to 50 Iranian flags. Many chants from the crowd were repeated in Farsi as well as English.

One agitator began shouting vulgar language about Iran. The crowd responded back with a united chant “Long live the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The event concluded with organizers announcing the next event, which will be hosted in honor of the Shia holiday of Arbaʽeen. Organizers of the Anti-War Committee expressed that partaking in national, and faith, holidays that are of importance to the immigrant communities that make up D.C. is an important part of their political work.

#WashingtonDC #DC #AntiWarMovement #Iran

Washington, D.C. – Amid military displays celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, more than 120 workers, migrants, students and community members mounted opposition in the nation's capital.

Participants kicked off their activities with a banner drop on a Rhode Island Avenue overpass. Later they held a Peace Forum, then a protest on July 4 at the White House. Participants in the forum argued that the country's anniversary should instead be a moment to address ongoing impacts of militarism, political repression and economic exploitation.

“While we were shackled in detention, we learned the U.S. government is the real criminal, but that we also need to fight for justice not just for ourselves, but to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone again,” said Ana from Las Madres Unidas en la Lucha, a collective of migrant mothers. Group members were detained during a March 2026 ICE operation in Baltimore and were later transferred to detention in Tacoma, Washington.

David Black of the DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (DCAARPR) said, “I spent 26 years in prison for a crime I didn't commit. What happened to me wasn't an isolated case, the sheriff who put me there harmed others too. This fight is bigger than my story. It's just beginning, and we're going to keep demanding justice for everyone who has been wronged.”

“Migrant workers are among the underclass in the countries they have migrated to because we are the scapegoats of economic crises, a source of cheap labor, and in times of crisis, we are abused by the government, as is the case today with Trump” said Jabi, a food service worker with Filipino Workers of Wheaton (FilWoW).

The Peace Forum brought together communities addressing issues such as ICE violence, police terror and wars of aggression that impact the people around the world. The gathering strengthened local fights to build a larger movement to address the root causes. Emerging from the Peace Forum, community members committed to advance campaigns against violence due to state agencies and expansion of weapons production.

Participants reconvened on the morning of July 4 for a protest at the White House, targeting Trump, who is responsible for attacks on the people domestically and abroad.

“We see this contradiction intensifying today, with Trump staging a military occupation right here in the belly of the beast, Washington, D.C., where Black, brown, and working-class neighbors are being kidnapped and terrorized by federal agents with the help of MPD. The National Guard occupation alone costs millions of dollars that could be used for healthcare, housing and human needs,” said Juliet Thomas from Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO-DC).

“Today, July 4, also marks 80 years of semi-colonial oppression of the Philippines by America,” says Marcel Castro from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN DMV). He condemned the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative for increasing land theft and exploitation of Filipino workers, as the U.S. aims to control the semiconductor supply chain. “1600 hectares of land were offered on a silver platter to the U.S., which will displace peasant and indigenous people. Large-scale mining operations will destroy water sources and agricultural land. The Filipino people are not pawns and sacrifices for U.S.-led war!” Marcel concluded.

“Whether it's detention centers, war profiteers, or the daily oppression we face under this system, this week of action shows that the most exploited and oppressed are organizing to fight back. Our fight is to unite workers, migrants, and all people struggling for sovereignty and liberation!” said Liz Park, secretary general of the International League of Peoples' Struggle – US (ILPS-US).

#WashingtonDC #DC #July4th #PeoplesStruggles #AntiWarMovement #ILPS #Philippines

The conversation began with Merawi Gerima, member of FRSO DC and emcee for the event, asking about how the blockade is discussed and viewed in Cuba and what attention was given to it during the trip. “All attention in Cuba is on the blockade at all times,” said Fanaeian, “From the moment you arrive, there are murals in the airport detailing the blockade and slogans about fighting to end it. The Cuban people are affected every day by the lack of access to food, water, fuel and other goods that come from overseas.” She elaborated further, “It’s not just a blockade, it’s warfare. Economic warfare.”

The conversation next turned to discussion about Cuban healthcare and medical advancements made by Cuban researchers. Despite the devastating material consequences of the blockade, Cuba has more doctors per capita than any other country. The country maintains a comprehensive socialized healthcare system, which includes ample access to in-home doctor’s visits and rural clinics. Recently, a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s care was made available free of charge to anyone seeking care in Cuba. “It is amazing to see what the people of Cuba are able to accomplish despite the ongoing economic warfare,” opined Fanaeian.

Gerima next asked if the Cuban people hold any animosity towards the American people. “The Cuban people love Americans, and they want us to visit. They do not hate us; they hate our government.” Fanaeian told Germia. She went on to say that Cubans want the people of the U.S. in the streets protesting the blockade, and to fight for normal international relations with the Cuban government.

The Anti-War Committee DMV, an organization devoted to anti-imperialist action in the heart of the U.S. empire, had a contingent in attendance. “It was so important to be here today and hear about the work Cuba is doing to fight the blockade,” said Katie Sayour of the Anti-War Committee DMV, “With his recent indictment of Raul Castro, Trump is telegraphing the possibility of heightened aggression against Cuba. Now is the time for us to fight against this escalation!”

Follow @anti-war.dmv on instagram as the Anti-War Committee DMV – in coalition with FRSO DC – organize new actions to fight for Cuba.

#WashingtonDC #DC #AntiWarMovement #DMV #Cuba #MayDay

Washington, D.C. – On Sunday, May 17, community members, organizers and faith leaders gathered at Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast Washington, DC for the Washington Interfaith Network’s (WIN) Candidate Forum ahead of the upcoming mayoral, city council and congressional primary elections this June.

The forum was an opportunity for DC’s most oppressed communities to make their demands to potential local elected leaders. Families Not Feds, a coalition of organizations working to end local collaboration with federal agents in DC, was invited to speak at the event and bring forward their proposal to the potential candidates.

Reverend Rachel Cornwell of Dumbarton Methodist Church and WIN set the stage, saying, “At the center of this 2026 issue agenda is a belief that a healthy city is one where all residents are valued, invested in, and have opportunities to grow.”

Cornwell continued, “Today we are bringing our work to the candidates, who are interviewing to represent us as DC residents.” The city-based candidates for DC were then invited to the stage to listen to community members’ policy priorities.

A leading organizer with Families Not Feds and Movimiento Migrante DC stated, “When rumors began of ICE and federal agents arriving in DC, I told myself this could not happen here in DC, because we’re a sanctuary, because our leaders are pro-immigrant.” She continued, “Yet, for nearly a year I have seen my friends, my neighbors, disappear right in front of me. I had an immigrant mother faint in my arms as her son was abducted by federal agents.”

Washington DC has been under attack by the reactionary forces in the White House that have been overexerting their powers into local communities who have been here long before — and will be here long after — the Trump administration is gone from the White House. A large part of these attacks comes in the form of racist police terror, with Homeland Security, FBI, U.S. Marshalls and other federal agencies openly collaborating with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to brutalize Black and brown residents.

This has led to the shooting of three Black community members, the murder of Julian Bailey, and the ICE kidnappings of almost 20,000 people in the DC region since the second Trump administration has been in office.

Families Not Feds Coalition was formed because the organizers were ready to fight back against these attacks. The capitulation of local politicians, like current Mayor Muriel Bowser, to the racist Trump agenda has been a blow to Black, brown, working-class Washingtonians who have no political representation in Congress.

On stage, the organizer from FNF and MMDC added, “When our executive leader failed to defend our community and instead easily disposed of us by attacking our Sanctuary Values Act and vetoing the FAAR [Full Accountability in Arrest Reporting] Act, we fought back and we won!”

The organizer then turned to ask the candidates her question: “Will you help lead the effort to pass permanent legislation to end the collaboration between MPD and federal agents?” All candidates on the stage said yes.

Other community speakers demanded affordable housing, an end to the racist youth curfew in DC and overpolicing of Black and brown communities, job opportunities for returning citizens and an overall commitment to invest in the working people of DC and not the corporate interests that have been stripping people of their needs like housing, healthcare and education.

Candidates present at the forum included Janeese Lewis-George, a frontrunner in DC’s mayoral race, and DC council at-large candidates Greg Jackson, Dyana Forester, Leniqua’dominique Jenkins, and others. Notably absent was Lewis-George’s competitor, Kenyan McDuffie, who is known to be backed by mega corporate donors like the real estate lobby. He is endorsed by DC’s current mayor, Muriel Bowser, who facilitated the Trump agenda at every turn.

The community members at the forum made it clear that they are ready for new leadership who will stand with their communities against the Trump administration. The organizer from Families Not Feds said, “DC is ready for change, and we are ready for a leader to fight with us and to lead us.”

For nearly a year, Families Not Feds has led the fight against this racist collaboration in Washington DC. The coalition is committed to holding the hopefuls for elected office accountable to the promises they made at the event. Their next steps are to pass permanent legislation to hold MPD and federal agents accountable for the terror they are inflicting on our communities.

Follow @dcaarpr, @_movimientodc, and @familiesnotfedscoalition to stay up to date on the campaign and DC mayoral race!

#WashingtonDC #DC #PeoplesStruggles #InjusticeSystem

Washington, DC – On Monday, April 13, a man was found hanging from a tree behind the 4th District Police Station in Washington, DC. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers unceremoniously cut him down from the tree and carted him away.

Despite the alarming and suspicious nature of the case, no news station reported on it, and the police made no public statement. The only sources of information were videos posted to social media by community members showing the man's body hanging from a tree as officers scrambled to stop people from filming or taking pictures.

As alarm grew in the Black community in response to the videos of a possible lynching victim, concerned individuals began visiting and calling the police station looking for answers, including a journalist from the Washington Informer, the Neighborhood Commissioner, and the Councilwoman of Ward 4, Janeese Lewis George. The police refused to provide answers, saying only that they deemed it a suicide, without explaining why.

For three days, the police ignored the community and remained silent. On Thursday, April 16, the DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (DCAARPR) was notified about what appeared to be a police lynching of a Black man, though details were limited due to MPD stonewalling.

Within a few hours, DCAARPR took to social media and announced an emergency rally outside of 4th Disctict Police Station to demand answers. The post immediately went viral, given the horrific nature of the case and people's desire to fight back. Within an hour of the social media post, MPD finally was forced to make a public statement.

In their statement, they went out of their way to point out that the victim was a 19-year-old Latino man, not a Black man, in hopes of dulling people's anger and undercutting DCAARPR's planned rally. Despite their attempt to divide the community, a massive crowd of Black, brown and white people showed up at the police station the next day to give them hell.

During the rally, Kristen Bonner of DCAARPR spoke, stating, “MPD is telling us this is a suicide. We have reason not to believe them. We have reason not to trust them. They have not done anything for our communities that says they are protecting us – that says they are keeping us safe. If anything, they are the purveyors of violence and terror and racism in our communities, and to that we say shame!”

Tamira Benitez, 4B-05 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner also spoke, “Three days have passed and we have no information. No email, no text, no phone call [from MPD]. When you go in person to get information, it’s like a burden to them.”

Benitez continued, “So we don’t need people like these, getting a shit ton of money out of our $22-plus billion budget to treat us like we’re nothing. As an ANC Commissioner, I don’t need to be friends with MPD to get the information I need to get.”

Merawi Gerima of DCAARPR stated, “If they say it's a suicide, we say show us the evidence. If their policies prohibit that, we say their policies are not good enough and that's why we're out here, because their policies allow them to kill us with impunity. Our policy is community control of the police so that we can hold them accountable in situations like this.”

When protesters realized that the Fourth District was also the precinct home of officer Jason Bagshaw, a known killer cop, they confronted him, chanting “It is right to rebel, Jason Bagshaw burn in hell!”

The demonstrators eventually took Georgia Avenue, one of the busiest streets in DC, in the middle of the city's notorious rush hour and marched for nearly a mile, attracting Black and brown people from the neighborhood to join them in chanting “Indict, convict, send these killer cops to jail, the whole damn system is guilty as hell!” and demanding community control of the police.

At the close of the rally, community members committed themselves to the struggle for community control of the police – on the journey towards transforming DC into a city where everyone can get their needs met.

#WashingtonDC #DC #InJusticeSystem #DCAARPR #NAARPR

Washington, DC – On the evening of April 15, Tax Day, about 20 protesters gathered outside the IRS headquarters as part of the Anti-War Action Network’s (AWAN) call for a national day of action. Temperatures soared upwards of 90 degrees, but the protesters were undeterred, opening the action with chants of “Money for jobs and education! Not for wars and occupation!” and “Not another missile, not another rocket! All these wars are just for profit!”

“The U.S. government takes not millions, not billions, but trillions of our hard earned tax dollars each year to use on their wars, especially now in Iran” said Katie Sayour of the Anti-War Committee DMV, the emcee for the event, “but we’re out here today to demand our money be used the way we want it to be used – for healthcare, jobs, schools, and for the working people!”

Once everyone rallied together, the group took the streets and began marching to Lafayette Square, just outside the perimeter of the White House. Calls of “Donald Trump, you’re a liar! We demand a real ceasefire!” echoed off the stone walls of the buildings lining the streets. The protesters observed community members on the sidewalks and began to chant “Off of the sidewalks into the streets! We want peace, we want peace!” resulting in several people joining in on the march. Once the protesters reached Lafayette Square, the emcee invited speakers from several organizations.

“We have to kick out the feet of imperialism wherever we go,” said Kristen Bonner, an organizer with the DC Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression (DCAARPR). “We are bonded together by our shared struggle.”

“Our taxes are going to police cars, they’re going to police who spend ten