Each week, we list some ways to get engaged in the city β whether thatβs 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.
ONGOING
DC Migrant Mutual Aid Back to School Drive As D.C. families continue to live under President Trump's "summer surge," local groups are collaborating to ensure kids have what they need for school. You can browse DC Migrant Mutual Aid's shopping list by scanning the QR code in this post, or donate funds to @DCMigrantAid via Venmo.
Serve Your City Back to School Drive Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid is collecting funds to equip Black and brown D.C. students with devices for the new school year. Select from a tiered donation list, providing Chromebooks, stocked backpacks, and more. Information available here.
DC Public Library Back-to-School Events The library is hosting a series of events for families featuring more free school supplies, along with the opportunity to connect to local resources, watch performances, and more. Bring the kids to the Capitol View Library on Wednesday, August 13; the Francis A. Gregory Library on Friday, August 15; and the Woodridge Library on Sunday, August 16. See more details and additional dates here.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
Juror Information Project info session β° 6 - 8 p.m. π Location provided upon RSVP Jury duty isn't just a day off work β it's an opportunity for everyday citizens to push for a more just legal system. This teach-in from Harriet's Wildest Dreams and Free DC will cover the responsibilities of a juror and how you can use your next summons to protect your neighbors. RSVP here.
Takinβ To The Streets: The Long Tradition of Revolutionary Youth Resistance β° 7 - 9 p.m. π ONE DC Black Workers & Wellness Center (2500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE) It's Black August β a period when organizers across the country commit to deepening their knowledge of Black radical history. The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and Pan-African Community Action are hosting a four-part series of political education sessions. This week's covers young Black Americans' political legacy β and features free food. Masks are required but will be provided!
Metro DC DSA Campaign Fair β° 7:15 p.m. π The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd. NW) Curious about getting involved with the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America? Meet the organizers from their current campaigns at this fair, hear about what everyone is working on, and join the group afterward to socialize at a nearby bar. Everyone is welcome! RSVP here.
DCPL punk show + local history exhibit tours β° 6 - 8:30 p.m. π MLK Library (901 G St. NW) Experience local history on multiple levels ... of the library, as the downtown location hosts tours of the exhibit in the lobby and local bands on the rooftop. Commit to learning on a weeknight: How has D.C. changed American culture? Is our DIY scene continuing a long history of pushing for a better world? How much fun can you have in the library?
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
Sex Ed Trivia: A fundraiser for EC 4 DC β° 7 p.m. π Her Diner (2004 18th St. NW) Support local access to emergency contraception and participate in one of D.C.'s favorite pastimes at this $5-10 event. There will be pills available for public pickup!
Harriet's Wildest Dreams info session β° 7 - 8:30 p.m. π Virtual Every month, local organizers at Harriet's Wildest Dreams host an info session about their work and how you might lend your brain and people power. As part of the group's Black August programming, this session will also feature education on local Black radical history.
The Dumpling Club: A Film Screening and Discussion β° 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. π MLK Library (901 G St. NW) The People's Archive and the 1882 Foundation are hosting a screening of the narrative short The Dumpling Club, from Arlington filmmaker Zulian Tjuatja, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Tjuatja, two of the actors featured in the film, and chef Tim Ma.
Author event: They All Fall in Love in the End, Haili Blassingame β° 7 p.m. π Politics and Prose Union Market (1324 4th Street NE) Normally, we wouldn't include a fiction event here β but student organizing at a local university is key to the plot of this debut from a D.C. native writer. The author, Haili Blassingame, will be in conversation with Jenn White, the host of NPR's 1A (and Blassingame's day-job colleague).
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
Film screening: Listen to Me β° 7 - 9 p.m. π Sankofa Books (2714 Georgia Ave. NW) Black mothers are at a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Screen a documentary that explores the issue, featuring filmmakers Stephanie Etienne and Kanika Harris.
Ward 3 Mutual Aid backpack drive drop off β° 6 - 8 p.m. π Open City (2331 Calvert St. NW) In partnership with Friendship Place, the upper NW mutual aid group is supporting 7th and 8th graders by collecting donations from neighbors like you. Drop them off this week, and put the group's next meeting on your calendar!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
Garfield Park Native History Day β° 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. π Garfield Park (2nd and G St. SE) Want to learn about local indigenous history? The D.C. Native History Project will be tabling at this Capitol Hill park, sharing stories about the artifacts found when the park was built and the people who lived on the land we now call home. If it rains Saturday, they'll be out on Sunday, August 16.
Maryland and Virginia allies meeting β° 2 - 4 p.m. π MLK Library (901 G St. NW) Live in Maryland or Virginia? You can still get involved with the movement to support D.C. residents' right to political self-determination. Free DC hosts a meeting for allies from neighboring states at the downtown D.C. library. You'll tour the local history exhibits, then fold zines and discuss the organization's upcoming projects.
Summer of Hope β° 4 - 9 p.m. π The Wharf's Transit Pier (970 Wharf St. SW) Emcee and songwriter Javier Stark is hosting this event featuring live music, an outdoor screening of "Into The Spider-verse," and family-friendly activities.
Backpack and School Supplies Giveaway β° 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. π Open Door Baptist Church (5600 Central Ave. SE) MDC DSA is hosting their third annual back-to-school giveaway. They've been prepping for weeks, between wheatpasting, packing bags, and getting the word out! It's hosted by the organization's Abolition Working Group.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Buy Nothing Exchange β° 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. π Trinidad Farmers' Market (1299 Neal St. NE) Bring what you can and take what you need at this week's edition of the Northeast market, which also features live music and a free bike maintenance clinic.
Community Potluck β° 4 p.m. π Luther Place Memorial Church (1226 Vermont Ave. NW) Ward 2 Mutual Aid, Miriam's Kitchen, and Washington Interfaith Network are hosting a casual social event where you can make friends, eat food, and talk about emergency preparedness. Bring food to share!
Electoral Organizing 101 β° 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. π Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Pl. NW) Are you ready for the November election? MDC DSA is hosting an intro session for anyone interested in supporting them this fall. You'll learn about the basics of door-to-door canvassing and talk about what's on the organization's docket. No experience required!
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
Free DC Business Canvass + Ward 2 meeting β° 4 - 6 p.m. canvassing, 6 - 8:15 p.m. meeting π West End Library (2301 L St. NW) Show up for part or all of this evening of organizing β from talking to local businesses about how to support the movement to planning what comes next. There's a campaign orientation included in the meeting, for those who haven't yet participated with Free DC!
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