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, and for more to do around the city, don't miss our Weekend Events post.
ONGOING
Film DC As you've probably seen on your feed (and as Martin reported), D.C. residents are recording everything during this takeover. Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, Free DC, and Harriet's Wildest Dreams created a new hub where residents can submit information about sightings or interactions with police and ICE. Email photos, videos, and tips to report@filmthepolice.org. If you witness an ICE detention or raid, call the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid network at 202-335-1183.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
Free DC Orientation for College Students 📍University of the District of Columbia, Building 71 Event Space 6 ⏰ 2 - 4 p.m. Free DC is holding an orientation specifically for students at any local university looking to get involved in the movement. You do not have to be a UDC student to attend. Send to your roommate, your group project team, your extracurricular organization's group chat, etc.! Register here.
Home Rule, Whole State: D.C. Statehood Teach-in 📍Virtual ⏰ 6:30 - 8 p.m. If you're new here and wondering why we're called The 51st ... this teach-in is a great introduction to the District's fight for autonomy! Organized by the Black-led abolitionist group Harriet's Wildest Dreams, the training will lay out how the history of Home Rule impacts local governance, and equip attendees with the knowledge they need to advocate for D.C. right now. You can register here.
FRIDAY, OCT. 24
Ward 1 Mutual Aid Halloween Fundraiser 📍RSVP for address ⏰ 6 - 10 p.m. There is nothing spooky about connecting with your neighbors — but we'd argue there's no one better to celebrate Halloween with! Ward 1 Mutual Aid and the housing cooperative Baldwin House are throwing down with an evening of costumes, music, crafts, and political education. Chef G will be providing eats, local filmmaker Britt Sankofa will be exploring Black horror, and you can even test your D.C. knowledge with some spooky local trivia. There will be opportunities to donate to Ward 1 Mutual Aid, which provides direct financial support to D.C. residents. RSVP here.
SATURDAY, OCT. 25
Federal Worker Training Academy 📍RSVP for location ⏰ 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. This training — co-organized by Federal Unionist Network, DMV Hub, and other local labor unions — will teach federal workers how to organize at their workplace, whether unionized or not. It'll cover overcoming apathy (tough), how to have productive one-on-one conversations, how to build a winning a campaign, and more.
Free DC Ward 1 Community Kick Off 📍Wangari Gardens (416 Kenyon Street NW) ⏰ 2 - 7 p.m. Enjoy D.C.'s most beautiful season — sorry, spring truthers — with Ward 1 neighbors. Free DC will have music, a skills-sharing session, games, and entertainment for the whole family. BYO chairs and blankets! RSVP here.
Pumpkin Painting Party & Mutual Aid Drive 📍Wunder Garten ⏰ 2 - 4 p.m. Politically conscious pumpkins? Of course! Free DC's Ward 6 team is encouraging neighbors to come out and paint their vision for a free D.C. They'll provide the supplies, so you just have to show up! They're asking for donations of adult hats, socks, and gloves for Ward 6 Mutual Aid. This is an all-ages event. RSVP here.
SUNDAY, OCT. 26
A History Teach-in on the National Mall 📍Terrace outside the American History Museum (Mall side) ⏰ 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Led by the creators of the podcasts The Memory Palace and This Day, this day-long (literally) event will feature readings, lectures, performances, and conversations . Hear from historians and professors throughout the day about the history of the Mall, the importance of museums and cultural preservation, and how we the people can organize to protect our historical institutions. Bring your own food! There will be small breaks throughout the day. You can see the full run of show here, and join the Whatsapp group for more details.
Free DC Campaign Orientation 📍 Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Chruch ⏰ 12 - 1:30 p.m. If you're new to Free DC, attend this campaign orientation with members of the Metro AME Congregation. You'll learn Free DC's strategy, what they're doing to protect D.C. residents, and how you can tap into your local ward team. RSVP here.
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
D.C. Council hearing on rent stabilization bill 📍 John A. Wilson Building Room 500, Zoom ⏰ 12 p.m. The D.C. Council's Committee on Housing will host a public hearing on a bill from Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin that seeks to revise the city's rent control laws. The Rent Stabilization Protection Amendment Act of 2025 would modify how rent increases are calculated and establish new compliance procedures for housing providers, among other modifications to the city's current rent-stabilization framework. To testify either in-person or virtually or submit written testimony, you can sign-up here.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
Public roundtable on feds' rights violations 📍 John A. Wilson Building Room 500 ⏰ 9:30 a.m. The D.C. Council's Committee on Public Works and Operations will be holding a public roundtable to hear from residents about incidents involving federal law enforcement that may have violated D.C. human rights laws. Testimony may date back to January of this year, and involve incidents of government agencies sharing arrest or booking information (including immigration status) with federal officers, conducting unlawful stops to harass people about immigration status, and having a disproportionate presence in neighborhoods with high immigrant populations and encampments. You can sign-up to testify IRL or submit written testimony here.
D.C. Council hearing on budget execution and overspending 📍 John A. Wilson Building Room 412, Zoom ⏰ 2 p.m. As Martin's reported last month, the District is currently overspending. This roundtable with the Committee of the Whole will explore the patterns via closer looks at various agencies' budget controls. This roundtable is only open to invited witnesses — but members of the public can submit written testimony. If you have thoughts on where the city is overspending, you can sign up here. You'll be able to watch the hearing IRL at the Wilson Building or on the council's website.
Note: We're testing out a new format for the location and timing details this week. What do you think? Tell us 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.
Colleen is a 51st co-founder and a former DCist reporter. Her work has appeared in NPR, Street Sense Media, and The Washington Post. She currently lives in New York, where she's pursuing an MFA.
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