D.C. Joy: 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 last month, 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. The council's various committees will hold public budget oversight hearings through June 17. 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, JUNE 12

Harriet's Wildest Dreams info session
Meet D.C.'s Black-led abolitionist defense hub and learn about the work they're currently doing to protect D.C. residents – particularly ahead of this weekend's military parade. The event will be held on Zoom from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Register here.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Baldwin House summer music fest fundraiser
The affordable housing cooperative and mutual aid hub Baldwin House is calling on the community to show up for Haydee's karaoke with a cause. Some of your $20 ticket will cover food and drink, and the remainder will go to Baldwin House to support their organizing. You can buy your tickets here. The event will run from 5 - 10 p.m.; plenty of time to roll through.

SATURDAY, JUNE 14

DC Joy Day
Skip whatever the hell is going on at the Mall and head to Anacostia Park for food, music, kids' activities, and teach-ins. FREE DC and Harriet's Wildest Dreams are leading the event, which will be an open opportunity for D.C. residents to come together, connect, and build community power. You can BYOFTG (bring your own food to grill), a picnic blanket, or chairs, and camp out from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be free summer reading books available for kids, face painting, line dancing, and sessions breaking down Home Rule and the FREE DC campaign mission. Community partners will also be tabling with information, and fresh produce will be available for pick-up from Martha's Table. RSVP for the event here.

MONDAY, JUNE 16

Green Budget Day of Action
The Sierra Club's D.C. chapter will gather outside and inside the Wilson Building to demand that D.C.'s next fiscal year budget include money for climate-smart solutions. The group will meet outside the Wilson Building at 8 a.m. and spending the day meeting with councilmembers, sitting in hearings, and taking creative action. Wear green!

TUESDAY, JUNE 17

Testify about Washington Gas' proposal
The Public Service Commission is hosting a second public hearing on the current proposal from Washington Gas to replace 12 miles of pipes with methane gas at a total estimated cost of $215 million. As a part of the plan, WGL says they will provide customers with advance notice of replacement work and allow them to opt out if they end service with WGL. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is rallying residents to testify against the plan at the community hearing – you can read more here. The meeting will be held online and in-person at the D.C. Public Service Commission Hearing Room. It'll start at 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

Rally to end chronic homelessness
Busy week at the Wilson Building! The Way Home Campaign, an advocacy group that works to end chronic homelessness in D.C., will be gathering outside the seat of local power to protest Bowser's FY 2026 budget, which housing advocates say falls woefully short of what's needed to solve the city's homelessness and housing crisis. (You can read The Way Home Campaign's full statement on Bowser's budget here.) The rally will start at 9:30 a.m.

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