This midsummer weekend features all the charm of a D.C July. Unique opportunities to celebrate culture and build community — worth it, no matter the humidity.
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.
ONGOING
DC Migrant Mutual Aid's Back to School Drive As the summer draws to an end and families continue to live under Trump's "summer surge," local groups are coming together to ensure that when school starts up again, D.C. kids have what they need to learn. 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.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 21
Anti-racist organizing workshop ⏰ 7 - 9 p.m. 📍 Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 East Capitol St. NE) Free DC is partnering with Anti-Racist DC for this training, aimed at improving relationships, practices, and approaches across race and class in organizing spaces. This training is open to anyone who's attended a campaign orientation and is required for anyone involved in Free DC Ward Teams or working groups. RSVP here.
THURSDAY, JULY 23
Free DC Slow Taxes training ⏰ 7 - 8 p.m. 📍 Zoom The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee and Free DC are teaming up to teach D.C. residents how to take more control over their tax dollars. Whether you're a salaried worker getting taxes taken out of your paycheck or a freelancer filing quarterly, there are ways to make your payments to the federal government less automatic. You can RSVP here.
DC Anti-Violence Project Meeting ⏰ 7 - 8 p.m. 📍 The DC Center (1827 Wiltberger St NW) The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center is hosting the DC Anti-Violence Project for its monthly meeting; the session will focus on the current political climate, local initiatives and upcoming events, safety protocols, and resource sharing. If you'd like to attend virtually, email counseling@thedccenter.org for more info.
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Rent Party planning session ⏰ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 📍 Upon RSVP In 1920s Harlem, rent parties brought people together to raise money to keep tenants in their homes. D.C. housing cooperative and mutual aid hub Baldwin House is figuring out how they might revive the practice today, and they want your help with the organizing! RSVP here.
Clothing swap and health class ⏰ 1 p.m. 📍 Bol Co-op (716 Monroe St. NE) The local advocacy group Star of Sophia is hosting a clothing swap and educational health insurance teach-in. Bring an item to donate, and leave feeling empowered in knowing more about how Medicaid premiums, FSAs, and deductibles actually work! No RSVP required.
Flower Potluck ⏰ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 📍 RSVP for full location Everyone's favorite floral-arranging social fundraiser is back for another sesh! Co-organized by The 51st co-founder Maddie Poore, this is a chance to let your creative buds blossom while supporting Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid. The premise is simple: Bring your own flowers (foraged or store-bought) to share, pick out a selection from everyone's contributions, and then get to work building your own bouquet. There will be an opportunity for sliding-scale donations upon when you sign up. RSVP here.
Food waste workshop ⏰ 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. 📍 Edgewood Arts Center (3415 8th St. NE) SOWTAH, a zero-waste advocacy group, will lead a workshop on how to create and implement environmentally friendly practices into your everyday life. Attendees are asked to bring an unpackaged piece of produce, a tote bag, and a reusable water bottle.
MONDAY, JULY 27
Training: Film the police ⏰ 7 - 8 p.m. 📍 Virtual Led by Harriet's Wildest Dreams, this training is meant to equip members of the public with the skills and knowledge they need to safely record police activity. Attendees will learn the best strategies for documentation, how to stay safe in potentially dangerous situations, and best practices for de-escalation. RSVP here.
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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