Community clean-up: 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. 

THURSDAY, JULY 24

FREE DC Local Government Working Group
FREE DC, the local organizing group that sprang up out of the results of the 2024 election, will host a meeting to strategize around autonomy and Home Rule issues. It'll take place from 6 - 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 26

Volunteering at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Get your hands dirty by removing invasive plants, picking up litter, weeding, and more at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. They encourage you to register in advance, but you can also walk up to volunteer if there's room. Volunteers will be out there rain or shine, so dress accordingly. Meet at 1550 Anacostia Avenue NE at 9 a.m.

Cleaning up Buzzard Point Park
Another outdoorsy engagement opportunity: Beautify Buzzard Point Park by planting, painting, and removing invasive species, among other maintenance tasks. Volunteers will be out from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Meet at 2000 1st Street SW.

Canvass with We Power DC
Earlier this summer, Pepco raised its rates for residential customers by nearly 18%. We Power DC will be knocking on doors in Ward 1, spreading the word about their campaign to create a publicly owned utility service that would lower the cost for residents. Team members will meet in the north end of Malcolm X Park; training and materials will be provided. You can RSVP here. It'll run from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Janeese Lewis George Ward 4 constituent pop-up
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George will be out in the community at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Emerson Street NW, meeting with residents, connecting them with services, and answering questions. If you have thoughts on the budget, the RFK deal, or anything else – now is your chance to share them directly with an elected. She'll be out from 3 - 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

Active Bystander training for ICE
FREE DC is partnering with a local immigrant justice group to present a virtual training on navigating ICE encounters. The training is intended for allies who can be actively involved if they witness ICE interacting with or detaining a neighbor. Participants will learn what information to record, what questions to ask, and how to protect themselves. It'll take place on Zoom at 7 p.m. 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