Each week, 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 at 51st.news/submit-events.
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.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
Street Law 101 training ⏰ 7 p.m. 📍 Virtual Hosted by D.C. COLLAB – a partnership between Black Lives Matter D.C., Stop Terror Police Project DC, East of the River Mutual Aid, and Malcolm X Grassroots Movement – this participatory workshop will break down what the law says about our rights and what those rights actually look like in real life. The training will cover policing as a system, the multiple agencies patrolling in the city, how to document police abuse and misconduct, and more. You can RSVP here.
DC 2050 comprehensive plan workshop ⏰ 6 p.m. 📍 MLK Jr. Memorial Library The comprehensive plan certainly isn't the most exciting aspect of local governance, but it is a vast and influential document that will guide D.C.'s growth over the next decades. So, if you want in on what's being decided and by whom, stop by a workshop with the D.C. Office of Planning. You'll learn what's currently being proposed for the city's future land use and offer feedback. If you can't make this workshop, there will another on Saturday at 11 a.m. – also at the library. RSVP for either session here.
New Deanwood Library design kickoff ⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m. 📍 Deanwood Neighborhood Library The Deanwood Library, which currently shares space with the Deanwood Recreation Center, is getting a refresh. The city plans to replace the current library with a new, stand-alone library on the Deanwood Metro Parking Lot. It'll be a joint redevelopment project with WMATA. As the redesign begins, the community is invited to share their feedback on the current plan and let developers know what they want from their neighborhood library. Light refreshments provided!
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
Narcan training and distribution ⏰ 7 - 9:30 p.m. 📍 Festival Center Join Metro DSA's Bodily Autonomy Working Group for a free Narcan training, led by representatives with HIPS DC. Attendees will learn how to safely respond to an overdose with the opioid-overdose reversal drug and take a short test to become a certified distributor of Narcan in D.C. The training will begin at 7:30 p.m., but you can stop in any time to grab Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, or free Plan B care kits from EC4DC. RSVP here.
Chocolate City Free DC meet & greet ⏰ 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. 📍 30 Atlantic St SE Join Free DC for a Meet & Greet with Black community members involved in the organization's Ward 8 work. You do not have to be a member of Free DC to attend; bring a friend, neighbor, or family member! RSVP here.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
RAGE x DCAF fundraiser concert ⏰ 7 - 10 p.m. 📍 Square80 (on GWU's campus) Join the D.C. Abortion Fund and GW RAGE – the university's on-campus reproductive justice group – for a laid-back outdoor afternoon. There will be live music, food, print-making, a raffle, and more. All proceeds will go towards keeping abortion accessible and affordable in the region.
Flower potluck mutual aid ⏰ 11 - 1 p.m. 📍 Doubles patio It's everyone's favorite floral festivity! (Okay, we may be a little bit biased – because this is hosted by The 51st's very own Maddie Poore...). Flower Potluck is as it sounds: Bring your flowers (foraged, store-bought, or a mix), a vessel to put them in, and get to arranging! There will be a short skills share to kick off the event if you're feeling a little stuck, and a pedestal and backdrop will be available to take pictures of your beautiful creation. Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $15-$100 at the door; all proceeds will go to the mutual aid group Remora House. Masks are required! RSVP here.
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
Juror Information Project overview session ⏰ 2 - 4 p.m. 📍 Southwest Neighborhood Library Harriet's Wildest Dreams and Free DC are teaming up for an introductory session on what it really means to serve on a jury, and how D.C. residents can use this civic duty as an opportunity to protect their neighbors and hold the justice system accountable. Learn from legal experts, activists, and community members. This meeting is open to everyone; no previous Free DC meeting attendance required. RSVP here.
MONDAY, MARCH 23
Know Your Rights training for restaurant workers ⏰ 1 - 3 p.m. 📍 Rhizome This training specifically for D.C.'s restaurant workers will cover how to respond to federal activity in restaurants, and how folks can protect themselves and their coworkers. Hosted by ROC-DC, the training will cover preparedness planning, safely documenting experiences, and identifying and reporting federal agents. Pizza provided! If you can't make the Monday session, there will be another training on Tuesday, March 24, from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Dew Drop Inn. RSVP to either training here.
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
RFK re-development open house ⏰ 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Department of Employment Services (4058 Minnesota Ave NE) D.C.'s Office of Planning is starting to build its master plan for the new RFK campus, which will shape the buildings, parks, and public spaces on the lot, as well as the promised housing and community amenities. If you feel like your voice hasn't been heard ... now's your chance to weigh in! If you can't make it on Tuesday, there will be another session on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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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