Budget testimony and Bezos: Your weekly Civics Roundup

Every Thursday, we list some ways to get engaged in the city – whether that’s protesting, organizing with your neighbors, or testifying before your councilmembers. This isn't an exhaustive list; share your events and trainings with us using this form. For more ways to get connected, check out our resources roundup. 

ONGOING

Mayor Bowser released her Fiscal Year 2026 budget this week, which means it's time for you to get on Zoom (or down to the Wilson Building IRL) and let the D.C. Council know what you think of it. From today (Thursday, May 29) through June 17, the council's various committees will hold public budget oversight hearings. A full schedule of hearings is posted here, or you can check the council's calendar. You can sign up to testify in person or submit written testimony on the page corresponding to each hearing.

Here are some of the agencies hosting a hearing over the next several days. This is not an exhaustive list; check the full schedule for more hearings and details.

THURSDAY, MAY 29

Organizing workshop with Rising Organizers
Head to MLK Library for an organizing teach-in focused on people power and building sustainable relationships within movements. Through interactive exercises, Rising Organizers leaders will cover how to build relationships, grow them, and ensure they move people to action. This training is open to anyone, whether you're a seasoned member of a movement or just getting started. You can RSVP here. It'll run from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

"Gaza: Journalists Under Fire" film screening
Brave New Film, Arab Center Washington D.C., and the National Writers Union are hosting the national premiere of "Gaza: Journalists Under Fire" – a film following the story of three journalists killed by the Israeli army while covering the war in Gaza. The movie will screen at the Busboys and Poets on 14th Street at 7:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with journalist Rhana Natour, Sherif Mansour of Brave New Films, and Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies. It's free to go, just register here to save your spot.

FRIDAY, MAY 30

Bystander intervention and de-escalation training
Us Helping Us, People Into Living Inc. is offering a free workshop in collaboration with local queer advocates in light of WorldPride 2025. The 90-minute session will cover de-escalation, bystander intervention, and opioid overdose response tools. The training will run from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Thurgood Marshall Center. You can register here.

SATURDAY, MAY 31

Save the Block fundraiser for Chinatown
The Save Chinatown Solidarity Network DC is hosting an afternoon festival of sorts to support the neighborhood as gentrification and high rent push out small businesses. (Read more on that here.) There will be vendors, music, food, a mini documentary screening, an art build, a walking tour, and more. Head to Chinatown Park from 3 - 6:30 p.m.

Wheatpasting with FREE DC
If you're heading to the BREAK THE CURRENT youth band jam at St Stephen's Episcopal Church, why not grab a few posters and get sticking after the is show over. FREE DC team members will have posters, a bucket of wheatpaste, and assignments for pasting; you're encouraged to get a group together and head out with fellow Ward Team members. You can stop by St. Stephen's any time between 12 - 3 p.m. to grab the materials.

Bezos Brutality: A panel discussion
We wish we came up with that name! Members of Athena, a coalition that's working to combat Amazon's economic power, will be hosting a panel conversation about the company's impact on D.C. small businesses and workers. It'll be held in collaboration with FREE DC from 5 - 7 p.m. at Solid State Books. You can register here.

MONDAY, JUNE 2

Teach-in: Juror Information Project
FREE DC and Harriet's Wildest Dreams will be posing the question: What does it mean to uphold the law when the law is unjust? They'll tackle the history of how jurors have resisted unjust laws throughout history, and what we can do in our current political moment. It'll take place from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Shaw Neighborhood Library. You can register here.

Looking for more ways to get involved? Below, you'll find a list of public meeting calendars for various city agencies, important contact information, and more