The D.C. Council on Dec. 2 extended the juvenile curfew implemented in November until April 2026 in an effort to reduce crime.

However, Navy Yard residents question whether this is a fair public safety measure or will further criminalize Washington, D.C.鈥檚 predominately Black and Brown youth鈥攚ithout addressing root causes.

After a large, chaotic fight on Halloween night, the D.C. Council implemented a juvenile curfew in that prohibited large groups of teens under 17 from gathering on the streets after 11:00pm.听 Just one month into the curfew, and amid further disturbances, council members voted 10-3 to extend the juvenile curfew until spring 2026.

While some residents praise the measure as a step towards increased public safety, others raise concerns about what this may mean for D.C. youth.

Michael Lewis, a Ward 6 resident and father of a 16-year-old daughter, said that just as deploying the National Guard was not about fighting crime, he鈥檚 wary of the curfew.

Brittney Gates, 38-year-old former federal employee who lives in the Navy Yard said, while some residents feel safter, she feels more unsafe by the growing police presence around the kids.

Federal employee Vonni K., who withheld her last name for privacy concerns, has a 17-year-old college son in D.C. She said she鈥檚 not as worried about him because he is less inclined to be out late.听 She said the curfew also deters the kids who are not out causing trouble since they don鈥檛 want the hassle of being stopped by police.

Mixed reactions from residents.

Lewis said he believes the extended curfew is a ploy by the administration to keep residents distracted from the real issues.听 He said they want everyone to talk about this issue and advance the narrative about crime in D.C., but he said the curfew alone won鈥檛 change it.

Gates concedes she is 鈥済enuinely torn鈥� on the curfew issue. As a Navy Yard resident, she said people pay high prices to live in this neighborhood with an expectation of safety.

Gates said she doesn鈥檛 fear for her personal safety, but she has seen large groups of kids congregating around the neighborhood. Around the fourth of July she witnessed teens dangerously igniting fireworks near buildings.

She said it鈥檚 quieter since the curfew, but the city should focus on programs, jobs and spaces to keep kids productively occupied. If the city doesn鈥檛 address the root issues, Gate said, the curfew will be a temporary fix.

Vonni K. said three years ago, in the quiet of the pandemic, she may have had a different, perhaps more self-righteous opinion about the curfew. However, after seeing her son鈥檚 experience with crime in the city, she said she supports an extended curfew鈥攁nd whatever it takes to combat crime.

She recounted how her college-age son and friends鈥攁ll honor students鈥攈ad to hide behind cars to avoid drive-by gunfire after a high school football game. Because of such incidents, school officials moved all sports events to the daytime to reduce late-night alterations.

鈥淭he gut check is that suddenly, when it鈥檚 your kid who comes home telling you about having to dive behind a car, it becomes much realer. What are we willing to do here to make this not happen again?鈥�

As a federal worker, Vonni K. said she鈥檚 lived overseas in some dangerous places and has been evacuated three times because of civil unrest.听 She said her son was taken to school in armored vehicles, yet it wasn鈥檛 until he returned to the nation鈥檚 capital that he personally witnessed regular violence.

She recalled when he witnessed a fight at school in which a kid was pummeled to the ground and stabbed. She said considering the situations they experienced living overseas, she couldn鈥檛 imagine she would need to prepare him for the violence in Washington, D.C.

Vonni K. lamented the perceived absence of parental curfews and said that if parents had set curfews and boundaries in the home, the city wouldn鈥檛 have to.

鈥淚 am positive that the word 鈥榗urfew鈥� does not exist in some houses, and it is the city that has introduced this word,鈥� Vonni said that the curfew may represent the first real restriction some kids have faced.

Profiling is baked in.

According to the Juvenile Curfew Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2025, the Metropolitan Police chief can declare juvenile curfew areas where large youth gathering pose public safety risks.

Some residents said they were concerned about how the curfew would be declared and enforced and the potential for police to unfairly profile Black and Brown youth.

Taking a pragmatic approach, Vonni K. said, 鈥淭hey would have to profile, right? There is a profile baked in, and the profile is someone who appears to be under the age of 18, so there has to be some degree of profiling for police to apply it.鈥�

Lewis, more wary of profiling, said the curfew is merely a means to target teens.

鈥淚 think it really sends a message to young people that they鈥檙e not wanted here鈥攊t鈥檚 a way to corral them and be able to profile them,鈥� Lewis said. He said public trust has been eroded due to the deployment of National Guard and every measure to reduce crime should be met with elevated scrutiny.

Questioning the racial lines of enforcement between predominantly White institutions and historically Black universities, Vonni K. asked

鈥淲ould the young people from Georgetown and American University be treated the same as those from Howard University鈥擨 don鈥檛 know, I would sure hope so,鈥� she said.

Gates, understanding that curfew implementation will lead to profiling, said, 鈥淚 recognize that this disproportionately affects the Black community and our Black youth to be able to congregate in spaces.鈥� Gates said the curfew would create a false sense of security in the community and disenfranchise the youth.

Vonni K., recounted an incident two years ago when an off-duty law enforcement officer shot a and killed a 13-year-old boy who tried to carjack him.听 She said the juvenile had been arrested several times prior, “These are the dire scenarios the city is up against.鈥�

A safer D.C.

Residents remain united in need of a safer D.C.; they debate whether the curfew will reduce crime or criminalize youth.

Gates said kids are not outside as much in the winter, so she is cautious of statistics indicating incidents have decreased since the extended curfew was implemented.

Vonni K. said she鈥檇 like to see the data to understand how the curfew is affecting crime.听 She said if there is a better way to contain crime鈥攕he鈥檚 open, but for now, she supports the curfew to bring crime down.

鈥淔or folks who are, like, adamantly opposed鈥� which I am in principle, but not in practice. What would you suggest?… Because what we’re doing so far is not working,鈥� she said.

鈥淏ut I think sometimes, you know, we forget that we were once kids too,鈥� Gates said.

The post Youth curfew extended to increase safety in Navy Yard first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Once hailed as the future of the District鈥檚 transit,听the DC Streetcar will听terminate听its service on March 31, 2026, with reduced service starting in Jan 2026.听听

Recognized for听helping听revive听the H听Street corridor听in听Ward 6,听its听shutdown听leaves a leading cultural institution鈥�Atlas Performing Arts鈥�reflecting on its legacy of promise and public investment.听听

Romance meets reality听听

In 2002,听Metro developed a听$12 billion, 10-year budget that included the streetcar, but听funding shortages听with state and local partners听caused the听District听to shoulder more of the burden听than it bargained for,听stalling the听project.听听

The DC Streetcar officially launched in 2016 after a series of delays, including a 2015 fire.听听听听

Framed as the听equitable听vision of听D.C.听transport,听37听miles of modern transit听starting in Anacostia听would help underserved communities听and spur urban revitalization.听But,听despite听its听noble听vision, the streetcar听began and ended with a听single听2.2-mile听line听that primarily served the H Street corridor.听听听

Budget cuts,听restricted coverage, low听ridership听and new听leadership听are听where romance met reality.听听

The D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) framed the streetcar termination as a budgetary and ridership issue. According to a DDOT spokesperson, 鈥淭he mayor鈥檚 budget had funded the streetcar through July 2027, when the current contract was set to expire. But Council reduced that funding, forcing the District to exit the contract earlier than planned.鈥� 听听

However,听WMATA (commonly referred to as Metro)听has听emphasized that the corridor听still has transit service.听听Metro听officials听noted that the long-running D20 bus already covers the听streetcar听route鈥攔esulting听in听no lapse in service.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 our fourth busiest route,鈥� Metro officials explained, underscoring that public transit along the H Street corridor remains active.听

鈥淭he bus runs 24 hours a day and听busses听arrive every 12-minutes, so听it鈥檚听a frequent service.鈥�听

Despite this assurance, not everyone agrees.听听听

鈥淎ny removal of access to this corridor is going to adversely impact businesses,鈥� said Jarrod Bennet, executive director of Atlas Performing Arts, a cultural anchor, located in the heart of H Street.听听

A cautionary tale on听H Street听听听

Bennett听said听Atlas听brings听an estimated听30,000 to听45,000 people听a year听to H Street.听However,听he听didn鈥檛听know the service听was ending听until听it was听publicly听announced.听听听

Bennett听said听he听regularly tells听Atlas patrons to jump on the streetcar from Union Station or the听Mall听as the听best听route to the theater.听

鈥淩emoval of access to this corridor is just one more roadblock for people to patronize businesses on H Street,鈥� Bennett said.听

The end of service is not just inconvenient,听but听it completely听blocks off听H听Street from听Metro access,听Bennett said.听听He said it will discourage people,听not just from patronizing Atlas,听but听from听all the businesses听and restaurants on the street.听听听

What鈥檚听more,听Bennett said听it further alienates those with mobility issues or听can鈥檛听afford to take a听rideshare.听听听

Bennett said he鈥檚 been pondering what to tell patrons who come to his theater. Atlas books shows a year in advance and rents the venue to outside performers, and he said that one of the first questions renters ask is, 鈥�’How to get to the theater?鈥�’听听

With the lack of parking, not having access to the streetcar is going to make things extremely difficult for Atlas, Bennett said.听听

Metro听officials听said that the D20 bus stops every few blocks along H Street, including near Union Station.听听听

鈥淔olks are welcome to ride that听[D20]鈥攊t serves the same street and corridor,鈥� said听Metro officials.听听

According to Bennett,听Atlas听draws听the largest听number听of people to H听Street,听and听he is听unconvinced听that听a bus听option听alone will suffice for the loss.听听听听

鈥淎 lot of our people come to see performances in a ballgown, I don鈥檛 think they are going to get on a city bus and ride to a gala,鈥� Bennett听said.听听

In addition,听Bennet said听he partners with听, a nonprofit organization that provides paid internships for neurodivergent people. The program helps students gain real-world work experience and听fosters听independence, including how to commute on their own.听听

鈥淭he streetcar has played a critical role in enabling these interns to travel safely and independently鈥攖he end of the service is a concern for our program,鈥� Bennett said.听听

A stress test on transit dreams. 听

DDOT said in a press release that it is coordinating with Metro to provide alternatives for current riders throughout the H Street corridor. Metro officials highlight the newly launched program鈥攖he first comprehensive redesign of the bus in 50 years.听 听

鈥淭he bus is the backbone of transportation,鈥澨齛nd听the redesign听demonstrates听the transit听agency鈥檚 commitment听to modernization, Metro officials have said.听听听

DDOT is conducting a corridor evaluation for the H Street/Benning Road corridor to determine the most effective and appropriate transportation options for this area.听听

Conversely,听DDOT admits it has not conducted a formal evaluation of the听streetcar鈥檚 economic or development impact. The agency points to research in other cities showing that streetcar systems can influence development patterns and neighborhood character, but stresses that outcomes听vary widely.听听

There鈥檚听been a lot of growth听along H Street听since the pandemic, Bennett said with approximately听22听new businesses opening in 2024.听听听

Bennett said, 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping and praying it does not impact restaurants, mom and pop shops and change the vibe.鈥�听

The post H Street corridor鈥檚 biggest draw laments the DC Streetcar鈥檚 last ride first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Washington, D.C., area residents said Wednesday they are less interested in the political battles, and more focused on the potential loss of benefits and what that means for their families.听

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a government-funded food assistance program designed to support low-income households with children, seniors and people with disabilities; it offsets the cost of nutritious food during economic hardship.听

Stress is palpable

More than a million people in the D.C. metro area suffer from food insecurity, according to the Capital Area Food Bank, the largest food distribution center in the region.听听

Bernice Anderson, a D.C. resident, received her SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, but said the possibility of not receiving them kept her awake for several nights in a row.听

Anderson, who has been receiving SNAP benefits for the past six years, said she depends on that help to feed her three children.听

鈥淭hree kids, bills and all the things,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淲e would have no food if we didn鈥檛 get stamps.鈥�

Hillary Salmon, senior director of marketing and communications at Capital Area Food Bank, said 430,000 people in the DMV area rely on SNAP benefits, with monthly assistance averaging between $186 and $330 per household. Without the SNAP dollars, Salmon said 80 meals a month are 鈥済one from families鈥� tables.

鈥淲e are trying to fill the gap,鈥� Salmon said. 鈥淔or every meal that a food bank provides, the SNAP program provides nine. That can get you a sense of how broad the issue is.鈥澨�

Salmon said Mayor Muriel Bowser鈥檚 announcement that the city will fund SNAP through November brought relief. But she said the food bank is still planning for potential impacts from possible delays. In November, Capital Area Food Bank is ramping up to provide a million more meals than previously projected, a 25% increase from the same time last year.听

Although residents in the Washington, D.C.,听 area will still receive benefits this month, Salmon said the community鈥檚 stress is palpable. Phone calls to the organization鈥檚 Hunger Lifeline, which assists those looking for emergency food aid, have tripled over the past three weeks.听

In September, the Capital Area Food Bank鈥檚 Hunger Report found 36% of residents in the DMV area don鈥檛 know where their next meal will come from. Salmon said she suspects the numbers will get worse following recent federal layoffs and the government shutdown.听

鈥淲e are dealing with many forces acting upon each other,鈥� Salmon said. 鈥淎 lot of these folks are really experiencing economic strain and a lot of anxiety about what鈥檚 going to happen.鈥�

Mixed messages from the feds

Conflicting messages from the federal government on SNAP funding have led some to question whether they will get their benefits in November.

In October, the website said SNAP benefits would not continue in November.

鈥淏ottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 1,鈥� the Food and Nutrition web page said at the time.

On Oct 30, Bowser announced that the District will use its own money to cover the cost of food benefits received by Washingtonians under SNAP through November.听

On Oct. 31, federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use emergency federal funds to sustain SNAP benefits through the shutdown.听

Then, Trump said on a Nov. 4 Truth Social post,听 SNAP benefits would be held.

On the same day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Trump administration is distributing SNAP benefits.

鈥淭he administration is fully complying with the court order,鈥� Leavitt said.

鈥楩rustration鈥� and confusion听

Behind the shutdown, political banter, confusion and court orders, residents are worried.听

Mike, who received food from Bread for the City, an assistance center, and who requested not to use his full name for privacy reasons, said he welcomed Bowser鈥檚 decision to authorize the use of local funds to support SNAP.

鈥淲ithout that help,鈥澨� Mike said, 鈥淚 would lose my benefits.鈥�

For Katrina Sanders, a Washington, D.C., resident, the possibility of not receiving her SNAP benefits in November is unimaginable.

Sanders, a mom of four, said a foot injury has kept her from working, and the benefits provide peace of mind for her and her four children.听

Scheduled to receive her SNAP benefits on Nov. 8, Sanders said she is relying on different community outreach programs, such as Martha鈥檚 Table, a nonprofit service organization, to have access to fresh produce.听

鈥淚 am going to have to make due with what I have,鈥� Sanders said. 鈥淵ou rely on all these things put in place, and to hear they may not continue to be in place is so frustrating.鈥澨�

听World Central Kitchen helps federal workers

The NGO World Central Kitchen is helping people in need in Washington, mostly federal employees and their families. The government shutdown has affected not only SNAP recipients but also the food security of many federal workers.

鈥淲e are feeding people working without pay,鈥� said Laura Hayes, senior manager of the Chef Corps for World Central Kitchen. 鈥淭hey are coming into the office, and we are making sure to take care of them.鈥�

By helping federal workers overcome food insecurity, they are also supporting local restaurants, which have been struggling as fewer federal employees eat out.

Hayes said the group has provided more than 36,000 meals and all of them are purchased from local restaurants.

鈥淲e are buying the meals from the local restaurants and then sharing them with furloughed workers,鈥� Hayes said. 鈥淪o everybody is supported a little bit.鈥�

Salmon said concerns and caution are rampant in the community. But with support from community networks, there is some ease to the tumultuous environment.

鈥淲e know there was an existing high level of need in our community even before anything related to the shutdown, and we are working to step in and help provide even more food out into the community,鈥� Salmon said.听

The post Anxiety, concern seize community over SNAP benefits first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

With rallies and events planned until the end of the year, organizers听are building stronger coalitions听and amping up urgency in听D.C.鈥檚 fight for听self-governance.鈥��听

Just as听Free DC, a grassroots movement that鈥痵upports local鈥痵elf-determination,听mobilized residents听for the听鈥淧ack the Court鈥� demonstration听at the Oct. 24 hearing,听the group鈥檚 leaders听are training, protesting,听building听resistance movements and听strategic coalitions across state lines to underscore鈥痶he urgency of鈥痩ocal autonomy听and D.C.鈥檚鈥痶umultuous road听to鈥痵elf-governance.鈥�听

Free DC听Executive Director Keya Chatterjee听said听the increasing consolidation of power and systemic erosion of democratic norms听has the country making a democratic U-turn.听

鈥淭he U.S. is听a听backsliding democracy transitioning to a competitive authoritarian state,鈥澨鼵hatterjee听said.听

With a听five-year campaign听strategy听for self-rule, Chatterjee said听the goal is to be strategic in every cycle of attack from this administration.听听

She characterized economic attacks, mass firings, National Guard deployment, local funding freezes, and legislative attacks as some examples of irreparable harm the federal government is causing residents. 听听

Chatterjee said,听with every attack on rights and freedoms,听Free DC听gets stronger鈥攇rowing听at double the speed than听in听years past鈥攖o听build unity,听听

鈥淓very effective movement is unified,鈥澨鼵hatterjee said.听

Admitting she is clear-eyed about the challenges, Chatterjee said they have a 7.5% chance of success relying on the traditional electoral process, but by building a unified civil resistance movement, organizers believe they can increase the odds to about 50/50.听

鈥淥ur end goal is to have equal representation under the law for the people of D.C.,鈥� she said.

Pack the Court听Protest听

Free DC organizers听say they have听a sense of urgency, not seen before,听as they describe a democracy that is slipping away to authoritarian rule.鈥�听

Packing the U.S. District Courthouse with D.C.鈥痳esidents was just one of the many protests Free DC said they have planned to express the importance of the moment鈥痑nd the commitment鈥痶o sustained activism.鈥�

The courthouse protest started as a short walk from Constitution Avenue and rallied in front of the U.S. District Court, where they sang songs, chanted and eventually lined up to enter the court hearing.听

Capitol Hill resident鈥疪andy Martin said鈥疻ashingtonians are not accepting this situation, calling it鈥�渃razy鈥濃�痑nd鈥痑dding that鈥痯eople鈥痺ill continue to show up.鈥�听

Katie Henke, a Hill East resident who works in international development, said she has worked in authoritarian countries in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe and the military presence on鈥疍.C.鈥痵treets鈥痳eminded鈥痟er of those regimes.鈥�听

鈥�鈥淚 don’t want to see that in our country, and so I want to stand up for my neighbors,鈥濃�疕enke said.鈥�听

The legal battle in the courthouse鈥�听

Inside the鈥痗ourtroom,听in听,听D.C.听Attorney General Brian Schwalb听 that听the deployment听of the National Guard听undermined the鈥疍istrict鈥檚鈥痳ight to self-govern.鈥疕e equated the deployment to an illegal occupation that is harmful to the city and its residents.鈥��听

Schwalb said that鈥痶he troops were not trained to do the job of law enforcement and made residents less safe.鈥�听

鈥淭oday we again made clear: the U.S. military should not be policing American citizens on American soil,鈥� Schwalb said after the hearing. 鈥淚t does not make us safer to have out-of-state military鈥攎any of whom are not from here and do not know our communities鈥攑olicing our streets, driving military vehicles, armed with rifles and carrying handcuffs.鈥濃��听

Linda Alexander, a protester who sat through the hearings, said she wanted to be fair and hear both sides.鈥� Alexander said even though she felt safer in Ward 7 since the deployment of troops, she recognized that鈥痠t鈥檚鈥痶ime for them to go home and spend time with their family.鈥�听

Eric Hamilton, an attorney representing the Trump administration, argued that the case should be dismissed since the president has broad authorities. 听

D.C.鈥痠s a municipal corporation with limited听authority,听Hamilton听said,听criticizing听the听attorney general听for not aligning with the president鈥檚 position.听听

Accusing Schwalb of political posturing, Hamilton said, 鈥淒.C. is not鈥痑鈥痵tate, however much鈥痶he鈥痑ttorney鈥痝eneral wants to pretend it is, and he is doing damage to the District.鈥濃��听

听Judge Jia听M.听Cobb听is expected to make a ruling听later this year.听

听The voices of the鈥痬ovement鈥�听

听Law student Byron Brooks said he came to the hearing to see how the process unfolds.鈥�听

鈥淲e鈥檙e in an unprecedented time of democracy, or dictatorship, depending how it鈥檚鈥痸iewed.鈥�疭o, today鈥檚 case will鈥痙efinitely set鈥痶he precedence on where we are headed as a nation,鈥濃�疊rooks said.听

Matt Gordon鈥痵aid he saw the issue as a constitutional crisis. He said, as a veteran who has served his country, he sees the deployment鈥痑s an鈥痠llegal abuse of power.鈥��听

Henke鈥痙escribed the impact on her neighbors: 鈥淧oor kids are going to and from school, passing these guards with rifles bigger than their torsos. It鈥檚鈥痙isgusting. This is what you see in authoritarian countries, and I鈥痙on鈥檛鈥痺ant to see that in ours.鈥濃��听

鈥淭his is a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act,鈥� said鈥疓ordon, a self-described angry veteran.鈥�淚t鈥檚 one step closer towards an authoritarian takeover of this country.鈥濃���听

The Posse Comitatus Act generally鈥痯rohibits鈥痶he use of鈥痬ilitary for domestic law enforcement, with a few exceptions, such as protecting federal property and鈥痲uelling domestic violence.鈥�听

After the hearing鈥�

At a press briefing following the hearing, Schwalb鈥痵aid,鈥�淲hen this lawsuit was filed several weeks ago, I said it was鈥疍.C. today. It was going to鈥痓e鈥痮ther cities鈥痵hortly. In fact, that is exactly what has happened. This is fundamentally un-American.鈥濃��听

During the press briefing, Henke chanted and heckled Hamilton while holding a Free DC sign prominently in the backdrop. Chants echoed off the courthouse to disrupt Hamilton鈥檚 briefing, as he referred to protestors as a 鈥渨oke mob.鈥�

Hamilton鈥痵parred with鈥痙isruptive protestors鈥痓ut was鈥痷ltimately鈥痙rowned鈥痮ut鈥痓y chanting鈥痑nd walked away.鈥�听

奥丑补迟鈥檚鈥痑丑别补诲鈥�听

The intensity and frequency of听Free DC听activities听have听surged,鈥痯artnering鈥痺ith Virginia and Maryland affiliates to build local momentum for self-governance.鈥��听

Chatterjee听said that, since听D.C.听lacks听representation,听Free DC听must reach out to states to build political pressure and create a network of resistance.听

Chatterjee said she wants the local D.C. government to stop complying with federal demands and legitimizing illegal actions that harm D.C. residents. 听She said D.C. local government must be on 鈥淭eam Democracy鈥� and prioritize protecting the community over appeasing the regime.听

鈥淲hen you give an authoritarian regime what they want, they just take more,鈥澨鼵hatterjee said.听

With events planned in each ward, every month until the end of the year, organizers鈥痑re conducting extensive and sustained training programs and building coalitions for mass non-cooperation strategies to fundamentally reimagine democracy in the nation鈥檚 capital.听

鈥淲hether it takes ten months or ten years, we must be absolutely resolute in our fight,鈥� said Rig, who used the moniker U.S. Army Overlord.

鈥淎s the government wants to escalate its attacks against the District of Columbia, we will clearly have to take more measures to withhold our support,鈥濃�疕enke said.

The resistance continues and prioritizes joy, community resilience, non-violent strategies, and alternative support systems as the way forward, Chatterjee said. 听

鈥淭here鈥檚 no oppressed people in the history of the world that have ever succeeded without joy,鈥澨齭he said.听

鈥淛ustice looks like the military being off our streets and鈥痮ne step closer toward statehood,” Gordon said.听

The post Beyond 鈥楶acking the Courthouse鈥�: D.C.鈥檚 long road to self-governance鈥� first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

The women said they have a reason for skipping the demonstrations against the administration: it’s time for others to step up.

During the 2024 presidential election, 92% of Black women voted for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. After her defeat, some chose to disengage from today鈥檚 demonstrations to prioritize their own well-being.

However, others said that while rest is important, citizens should not abandon participation in resistance movements.

At a time when Black women face further marginalization, some sat out a rally that had more than 7 million participants nationwide, but no clear action steps, some said.

鈥淏lack women are tired of empty performative action,鈥� said Sherri Williams, associate professor in Race, Media and Communication at American University.

Williams explained that the issue is not about disengagement but about choosing when and how to engage. Black women chose to unshoulder political burdens and prioritize self.

鈥溾�橰est as protest鈥� means Black women are really thinking strategically about where they will invest their energy,鈥� Williams said.

Exhausted, but 鈥榮till showing up鈥�

Still, the rally was compelling for some protesters.

Activist Imani Bashir spent the day under a tent helping people understand their power as jurors and taxpayers and sharing information about labor unions.

She described the rally as a 鈥渨hite liberal space,鈥� a space with predominantly white attendees and no plan of action. She felt it lacked a sense of urgency, disruption, and clear demands, and felt more like a parade than a protest.

Bashir said she understood why others skipped the event. However, she said doing nothing is not enough.

鈥淪ome are throwing up their hands,鈥� Bashir said. 鈥淏ut most of the Black femmes, trans folks, and gender-nonconforming people I know are exhausted 鈥� and still showing up.鈥�

Opting out

Kia Braxton, an emergency management contractor who works on social justice issues, stayed home. She found little reason to express herself publicly again.

鈥淢y protest was back in November when I voted for the only competent, capable choice who was on the ballot who happened to be a Black woman,鈥� Braxton said.

Braxton said protests should not be 鈥渃omfortable pursuits.鈥� She said the rally was more of a 鈥渟ocial gathering.鈥�

Braxton told 最新蜜桃影像 that Black people are still resisting, even if they don鈥檛 appear in demonstrations. Black people, she said, historically have been working for everyone鈥檚 benefit.

鈥淲e鈥檝e earned our rest,鈥� Braxton said. 鈥淲e are still doing the work, just not the way you expect.鈥�

鈥淭he Rest Revolution鈥�

Amanda Littlejohn, author of , recognizes how going back to the basics of rest and well-being is helping Black women deal with burnout from advocacy.

Littlejohn and others are turning inward to prioritize their physical and mental health above advocacy.

As her critics call rest a luxury, she pushes back.

鈥淩est is not a luxury or something that we have to earn,鈥� Littlejohn said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 outwork racism; you can鈥檛 outwork sexism. Your excellence cannot fix systemic issues.鈥�

Littlejohn criticizes the oft-repeated doctrine that Black women must be 鈥渢wice as good鈥� to succeed. She said it normalizes exhaustion to an unhealthy degree.

鈥淩est is being in community with people who are supportive to you,鈥� Littlejohn said. 鈥淩est is making room for joy and things that replenish, refuel, and energize you.鈥�

Intergenerational burnout

Clinical psychologist and founder of Vivid Innovations Consulting Ashley Elliott, popularly known as Dr. Vivid, said that rest is a form of resistance.

Elliot said that resting allows others to step up and act. She added that since Black women have carried the load, others need to contribute.

鈥淭hat resistance is a show of growth in our mindset,鈥� Elliot said. “We understand we are doing more harm than good if we continue to show up on the battlefield for people who won’t show up for us unless we start the work.鈥�

The Arlington-based psychologist told 最新蜜桃影像 that Black women have taken on the role of keeping communities together, sometimes neglecting their own needs, resulting in generational cycles of burnout.

To break generational cycles of burnout, Elliot said Black women must remember they also deserve the love, rest, and safety they provide others.

Elliot said that Black women can often feel guilty for resting due to societal pressures. When this guilt rises, there is a way to counteract that – with evidence.

“What have you done for yourself, for your family, for your community that has proved fruitful, effective, positive, beneficial?” Elliot asks. “Acknowledging that that work, no work, no matter how long or short in the task or the project, is enough to justify rest.”

Not exactly 鈥渞est鈥�

Anna Malaika Tubbs, sociologist and author of Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us, said that because Black women were pushed furthest from the original U.S. patriarchal structure, they had to imagine and fight for better conditions.

鈥淭he Founding Fathers 鈥� were building a republic of men, white men in particular, who they saw as elites,鈥� Tubbs said. 鈥淭hey painted Black women as the complete opposite of American patriarchy and the benefits that are afforded to them.鈥�

The sociologist said that when Black women do not always appear at rallies or events, it is not because they are necessarily resting in the traditional sense of the word.

鈥淥ur day-to-day life is resistance,鈥� Tubbs said. 鈥淭he way we parent our children to still live and love and thrive in a nation that often tries to attack them, is our resistance.鈥�

Black women aren鈥檛 giving up, Tubbs said, it鈥檚 just time for others to 鈥渨ake up.鈥�

The post The complicated relationship of Black Women and the 鈥楴o Kings鈥� movement first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Once threatened by development, the club鈥檚 recent historic designation now offers it protection and potential partnerships as the 11th Street Bridge Park and the reimagined Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium development transforms the Anacostia waterfront.听

In a prime, almost hidden corner of Boathouse Row, Seafarers was founded by mariner and educator Lewis Thomas Green in 1945 with the support of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. 听At a time when boat clubs were exclusively 鈥渨hite-only,鈥� Seafarers stood as a haven for Black boaters and a symbol of resilience. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 not about nostalgia. It鈥檚 about protecting what still serves the people,鈥� said Roger Legerwood, Seafarers Yacht Club historian and 30-year member.

Historical designation offers legal protections听

Seafarers gained its historic designation in 2022, sponsored by the D.C. Office of Planning鈥攕hepherding in new protections against emerging developments.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e not scared, we鈥檙e historic. We鈥檙e in partnership with the D.C. government,鈥� said Seafarers Yacht Club Commodore Tony Ford. 听

Seafarers falls within Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal projects to assess and mitigate adverse effects on historic properties. 听 听

鈥淚f the review identifies potential adverse effects, the parties will coordinate to resolve them,鈥� the D.C. Office of Planning said.听

Legerwood began documenting the history of the club about 25 years ago, almost by accident. 听He said he found the history fascinating, and his chronicled account eventually became the basis for filing historic preservation.听

鈥淭hey just can鈥檛 run through here without checking,鈥� Legerwood said. 鈥淲hen we see or hear of threats, we look at it as an opportunity to engage.鈥� 听

The designation opens new doors for grant funding and restoration support. Seafarers partnered with the 11th Street Bridge Park team鈥攖he project to transform the abandoned 11th Street Bridge piers into a state-of-the-art park鈥攖o ensure the club鈥檚 legacy is cemented in the future of the waterfront. 听听

鈥淐onnecting to the river has always been one of our key goals,鈥� said Scott Kratz, director of the Bridge Park project.听 鈥淪eafarers started the Anacostia River Cleanup in 1985.听 They鈥檝e been critical to restoring and healing the river.鈥�听

Kratz鈥檚 team secured a U.S. Coast Guard permit to maintain the navigational envelope鈥攊ncreasing visibility for organizations like Seafarers. 听The new park will include an environmental education center, which could feature Seafarers鈥� history and community programming. 听听

Ford, who has led the club for seven years, said he views the Bridge Park partnership as a model for respectful collaboration. 听

鈥淲e鈥檙e already partners,鈥� Ford said. 鈥淲e offer free boat rides during cherry blossom week and talk about the history. 听It鈥檚 not adversarial; it鈥檚 community.鈥�听

Ford is less certain about the RFK Stadium development, a $3-billion project expected to generate thousands of jobs and billions in tax revenue. 听

鈥淲e haven鈥檛 had a mutually respectful conversation with those developers,鈥� Ford said. The club鈥檚 relationship is only through the mayor鈥檚 office, he said.听

Over the years, Ford said developers have used intimidation tactics. In one case, Ford said a developer sent an email alluding that Seafarer would sell its property before even having a conversation. Ford said he is used to the tactics鈥攁nd some have already begun.

鈥淔orming, storming, norming and performing, that鈥檚 how we figure out where we fit in,鈥� Ford said. He added this is a teambuilding process that goes through different stages to understand their relationship and roles in the development projects.听

Despite concerns, Ford said he remains optimistic.听听

鈥淲e are the oldest African American boat club in the country鈥攏ot DC鈥攊n the country,鈥� Ford said. 听

Seafarers started the Anacostia River clean up, and we will continue to do what serves the community, Ford said.听

It鈥檚 about the community听

For longtime D.C. resident and recreational fisherman Derick Jones, this is personal.听 Fishing on the Anacostia River for over 20 years, Jones acknowledged that the RFK development is good for the city.听听听

鈥淚 hope they don鈥檛 mess it up鈥攁 lot of young brothers come here to fish instead of getting in trouble,鈥� Jones said.听

Jones urged developers to protect community spaces.听听

鈥淭his is my fishing spot,鈥� Jones said while laughing. 鈥淭his is my peace of mind.鈥� 听

Seafarers Business Manager Captain Anthony Hood echoed the sentiment.听

鈥淲e are a working club. Members bring their skills鈥攚oodwork, law, electrical鈥攖o keep things going.鈥� 听听

Hood joined the club in 2020 after his wife passed. He said she always had encouraged him to buy a boat. 听听

鈥淚t has occupied my time and helped me heal鈥攏ow I鈥檓 part of something bigger,鈥� Hood said.听

As the business manager for Seafarers, Hood focuses on infrastructure and restoration efforts. 听Partnered with Anacostia Riverkeeper and the Council of Governments, Seafarer received a grant to remove abandoned boats as part of an initiative for cleaner waterways, Hood said.听

With work-in-progress projects all around the club, Hood said the infrastructure needs attention. 听Members are replacing old dock woods themselves, but with development funds, Hood said. 听

鈥淲e could rebuild the docks, the rail system and even the clubhouse,鈥� Hood said.听

Legerwood said the club wants to amplify Seafarers鈥� legacy and make boating more affordable and inclusive. 听

鈥淚nclusivity was our original mission,鈥� Legerwood said. 鈥淢r. Green built boats by hand but couldn鈥檛 find a place to dock because of his race鈥攖hat鈥檚 why this place exist.鈥�听

The D.C. Preservation League, which maintains the city鈥檚 historic inventory, said it added Seafarers to its public database after the designation and is now part of the public record. 听

D.C. Preservation League said, 鈥淭hat visibility matters.鈥� 听

鈥淲e鈥檙e not just a boating club.鈥� said Legerwood. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a living archive of Black maritime history.鈥�听

The post This last Black institution along the Anacostia is navigating development with intention first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

While the rest of the country focuses on national policy debates centered on affordable healthcare, people in Washington, D.C., feel the weight of the shutdown each day.

Here鈥檚 how the federal government halt is playing out on the streets of the District:

Museums everywhere – but they’re closed

George Washington Law School student Bradley Suarez often brings his dog Maple to play fetch on the lawn of the National Mall. The Florida native said his mom tagged along a few weeks ago. It was unusually barren 鈥� no local artisans or food trucks set up outside.

Suarez said that’s not the only thing that’s changed. He had to find a new place to take study breaks, since the Smithsonian Institution museums closed.

He used to 鈥減ick one museum a day鈥� to walk around between class work. Now, because of the shutdown, the doors are locked.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 like it,鈥� Suarez said.

By Isabel Del Mastro

New normal

Rachel Callahan moved to D.C. two months ago, eager to start college at George Washington University and explore the city. Federal layoffs and a government shutdown welcomed her to the District.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Callahan said her parents are eager to visit for family weekend. But, since TSA is 鈥渁ll messed up鈥� from the shutdown, she said they may not make the trip.

As the National Guard troops walk by the Foggy Bottom Metro, Callahan said she has only known a D.C. in shutdown.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just like normal for me at this point 鈥� it would be different if I was here before,鈥� she said.

By Ellen Tannor

Empty city, empty restaurants 

Kevin Gonzales, a manager at Carvings, a casual American restaurant in Foggy Bottom, said he wonders how long the government’s pause will affect business.

鈥淲e are down to about 25% of our business’s revenue because federal employees stop coming to our establishment,鈥� he said. The restaurant serves everything from quesadillas to Reuben sandwiches to chicken tenders.

The restaurant has been empty Wednesday, with only spurts of customers straggling in. Gonzales said the business may have to lay off morning staff if the shutdown continues.

By Lynn Howard

鈥楧isappointing鈥� trip

Rachel Jennische and Robert Muilenberg, both journalism professors at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, flew with four undergraduate students to D.C. for MediaFest25, an annual conference for student journalists.

Jennische said she is disappointed, but not surprised, that the federal shutdown ruined their plans.

She wanted to take her students to visit the Smithsonian Institution museums, but the federal shutdown paused its funding. All 21 Smithsonian facilities closed their doors Sunday.

鈥淚 do mostly feel bad for our students because they don’t get the chance to travel much,鈥� Jennische said. 鈥淭hat is disappointing.鈥�

Instead, the group visited replicas of well-known D.C. sites, like The People’s House: A White House Experience.

By Isabel Del Mastro

No dinosaurs in D.C.

Matt, a French traveler who didn鈥檛 give his last name due to privacy concerns, is just in D.C. for two days as a part of a 60-day solo excursion throughout the United States. His trip started in New York and will end in Portland, Oregon.

He said he didn鈥檛 care about the federal shutdown at first. Then, it messed up his plans to visit the Smithsonian.

鈥淣ow, since I can’t go to see the dinosaurs, I’m kind of sad,鈥� Matt said.

By Isabel Del Mastro

鈥楴ational gardeners鈥�

Hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers are going without pay during the shutdown. The military, including National Guard members, could be the next to miss paychecks.

Protesting outside Union Station, veterans Matt Gordon and Blake Heinz said the National Guard should not have been deployed in D.C.

Gordon called the deployment 鈥渁n embarrassment.鈥� The guard has no clear orders, he said, and low morale. Guards assigned to beautification of the National Mall, have earned the nickname 鈥淣ational Gardeners,鈥� Gordon said.

By Terrance Williams

Future ‘to be determined’

The shutdown is making it harder for Elizabeth Riekse, a senior international relations major at American University, to finish her capstone.

She planned to write about Thomas Jefferson’s Quran. Visiting the Library of Congress was essential to Riekse鈥檚 research. Now that it鈥檚 closed, the future of her project is 鈥渢o be determined,鈥� she said.

It鈥檚 not the first time the government changes have impacted Riekse. This summer, she interned at the US Department of Agriculture. Her job was cut during DOGE.

By Anastasia Menchyk

Democracy’s future

A group called For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere, a left-wing organization protesting Donald Trump鈥檚 presidency, has been on the lawn outside Union Station for months. Randy Kindle, a board member for the organization, said Trump鈥檚 presidency is a 鈥渕ulti-generational traumatic event.鈥�

鈥淚f we don’t get Trump out by the end of the year, we won’t be a democracy for a long, long time,鈥� he said.

Kindle said he has noticed fewer tourists since the shutdown started two weeks ago. He said he thinks Republicans and Democrats will reach a deal after the 鈥楴o Kings鈥� protest Oct. 20.

By Terrance Williams

Federal workers ‘in panic’

Once a week Astor Archer stands around D.C. and spreads the word of God. He鈥檚 a Jehovah鈥檚 Witness, and said many of his friends and fellow parishioners who were furloughed are facing economic hardships.

Positioned in the heart of Foggy Bottom, across from Circa restaurant where federal workers pass by on their way to work, Archer said it seems like people are 鈥渋n panic鈥� at times.

Archer said he talks to everyone 鈥� doctors, nurses, federal workers and the general public. He looks through the pages of his bible for solutions for problems people are facing.

鈥淚t helps us see that there鈥檚 something better for mankind,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 here to give information, spread love and give hope.鈥�

By Ellen Tannor

Nothing to see here

American University teaching assistant Jonah Gutterman, a 22-year-old junior from Philadelphia, usually escorts his intro-level government class on trips to federal buildings throughout the semester.

The shutdown cut those visits. 鈥淲e were supposed to do a lot of really fun, exciting trips,鈥� Gutterman said.

The class was scheduled to visit the Washington Monument and the Pentagon, he said, but the visit had to be cancelled. Gutterman said he doesn鈥檛 think the shutdown is close to ending.

“To be honest with you we haven’t covered it a whole lot in my congress class,” he said.

By Anastasia Menchyk

Life in limbo

Chris Ravenwind has been unhoused for four months. The path that led him there is tangled with the ripple effect of federal layoffs.

Originally from California, Ravenwind said he worked for a security company in Virginia 鈥� until he was abruptly laid off. He said he believed the layoffs were tied to the instability of the federal government.

Now, he said he spends his days submitting job applications and trying to find permanent housing, which is harder to nail down right now. Ravenwind said he is on a 5- to 8-year waiting list for government-assisted housing. For now, his next steps are simple: find food, get rest, keep trying.

鈥淎fter I manage to get one responsible thing done, it鈥檚 about sleep and getting enough spare change to cope,鈥� he said.

By Ellen Tannor

Staying optimistic

Fall is usually the busy season at Central Michel Richard, a French-American bistro near the Federal Triangle, said Ebony Miller, assistant general manager.

The restaurant’s main clientele are senators, lawyer groups and federal workers, she said.

The restaurant has seen a decrease in business since August, Miller said, but the federal shutdown has made it worse. She said her team is trying to stay optimistic.

“I’ve been trying to find creative ways just to make sure we put ourselves out there,” Miller said.

By Isabel Del Mastro

New business plan

Anuradha Mehra has sold handcrafted goods at Capital Harvest on the Plaza, a vendor market, for two years. But since the federal shutdown, she said her business has been suffering.

Mehra has 30 artisans crafting bags, scarves, and home goods in New Delhi, India, for her business IndiBlossom. She moved to D.C. 15 years ago and has been selling art for the past 10 years.

She said she only sells her goods in popup shops but, since the federal shutdown, she might create an online shop to help supplement business.

“I think in some ways I feel compelled to start my online space because, you know, with the way things are. But the shutdown is really just impacting people’s ability to shop,” said Mehra.

By Isabel Del Mastro

The post 鈥楧isappointing鈥� D.C.: Locals are worried, visitors feel shut out first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

What was the groove? 鈥�,鈥� a go-go style, funk track rooted in the D.C. sound. The song, which will serve as the official anthem of the 11th Street Bridge Park, was released Oct. 5 at the Go-Go Museum.

The 11^th Street Bridge Park, a transformational elevated bridge park development, held its song release party to celebrate development and determination鈥攈onoring the city鈥檚 past and future.

The song was written by D.C.鈥檚 own grammy-nominated artist Raheem DeVaughn, produced by the famed Lorenzo Johnson aka Zo Smooth and co-produced by go-go legend, Salih Williams, better known by his stage name Bootsy Vegas, brings local rhythms interwoven with community spirit.

Devaughn and Williams said they took on this project because it was more than just a musical endeavor; it was a community driven initiative to create positive change and celebrate D.C.鈥檚 rich cultural history.

鈥淭hrough music, we can communicate,鈥� Williams said, 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lack of historical understanding about a lot of these projects.鈥�

A bridge like no other.

Thirteen years in the making, the project is now fully funded, is expected to break ground in spring of 2026 and launch in 2028.

A collaboration between the D.C. government and Building Bridges Across the River non-profit, Bridge Park strives to be the model for equitable development鈥攕trategically focused on housing, the arts, workforce and small business development.

Scott Kratz, the president and CEO of Building Bridges Across the River, said Bridge Park is a different kind of project.

鈥淲e鈥檝e learned from projects of the past where residents have been displaced,鈥� Kratz said. Gentrification, emblematic of D.C. evolving neighborhoods, has long plagued well-intentioned projects across the District.

鈥淲e had to be intentional about this work,鈥� Kratz said. 鈥淚t would have been easy to say, gentrification is a serious issue, but that鈥檚 not our job鈥攚e鈥檙e building a park.鈥�

Kratz said before engaging a single designer, Bridge Park spent two years talking to residents, asking, 鈥淲hat did they think about transforming an old freeway into a park?鈥�

The inclusive, community-led development will be the first of its kind鈥攖ransforming the old, abandoned 11^th Street Bridge piers into a cutting-edge, elevated park. The vision is to create a community space that integrates historically disenfranchised neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River and the surrounding communities.

The Bridge Park will include playgrounds, urban agriculture, an Environmental Education Center and a 250-seat outdoor River Amphitheater.

Lovail Long, a Ward 8 resident and owner of DC Black Broadway, said, 鈥淭his project means everything to me.鈥�

Long, who produces stage plays and musicals, said the amphitheater will offer a space where he鈥檒l be able to perform live for the community. Like his fond childhood memories of performances in Anacostia Park, Long said he and his wife wants to create memories through arts and music for a new generation of children.

Kratz said intentional development puts the community at the center.听 Building Bridges has invested more than $100 million in the community鈥攎ore than needed to build the park.听 Through community-based initiatives like Homebuyer鈥檚 Club, 182 Ward 8 renters became homeowners and Bridge Park has secured 230 units of permanently affordable housing.

Bridge Park even worked with local artists and the community to create the anthem song befitting of this visionary park.

And the go-go beat goes on.

The percussion-driven go-go anthem was commissioned and curated by Ronald Moten, co-founder of the Go-Go Museum, along with Bridge Park leaders to symbolize the partnership between the Bridge Park development and the community.

Natalie Hopkinson, co-founder and chief curator of the Go-Go Museum and professor at American University, said, 鈥済o-go music is the official music of the D.C., codified in legislation,鈥� so elevating the music is only natural.

Just as Moten cofounded the museum to preserve the culture and history of his beloved go-go music, he said he partnered with the 11^th Street Bridge Park because of its community-led, community-driven approach.

Through the loud, reverberating music, Moten said, 鈥淲e started differently from most museums鈥攎ost opened with an endowment鈥攚e opened with no money and people banging on the door asking us why aren鈥檛 you open,鈥� noting parallels to the Bridge Park grassroots development approach.

DeVaughn, host of 鈥淭he Original Quiet Storm,鈥� the number one night-time show in D.C., said creating the anthem was a passion project to help the community and elevate go-go music.

After being 鈥渟chooled鈥� on the historical context of the bridge and learning enslaved people walked the original 11 Street Bridge every day, he said the project resonated with is lifelong commitment to the music and community.

DeVaughn said he views the song and performance as a way to bridge gaps and support black-owned businesses and create a platform that celebrates go-go鈥攖he heartbeat of D.C.

鈥淢ost importantly, we鈥檙e about having a footprint in the community and being of service,鈥� DeVaughn said.

A former co-host of the famed Donnie Simpson Show, Williams said he came to 鈥減erform with a purpose.鈥� Co-producing the song not only honors go-go pioneer Chuck Brown鈥檚 legacy, Williams said, 鈥渋t brings people together who might not have been checking for go-go but left with an appreciation.鈥�

In addition to creating music, Williams now dedicates his time to teaching kids broadcast journalism. He said he partnered with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation to teach journalism and provide scholarships to high school students in Ward 7 and 8.

Williams said creating the Bridge Park anthem with Johnson and DeVaughn was a natural extension of his work supporting his community where he was born, raised and still lives.

It鈥檚 about the community.

鈥淎 community on the river,鈥� Kratz said. 鈥淢any people in the community have never been out on boats.鈥�

Building Bridges works with local boating organizations like Seafarer鈥檚 Yacht Club and Anacostia Boathouse Association to connect the community with the Anacostia River.听 Bridge Park partners to offer free boat rides and to give community members an opportunity to kayak and canoe along the river.

D.C. transplant and American University Alum Jayra Collier鈥檚 employer Plum Good has been a Bridge Park sponsor for eight years.听 Collier said through its partnership, Park Bridge has promoted its teas, spices and sauces.

Collier said she hopes other transplants like herself will get to see 鈥淭he real D.C.,鈥� to promote local businesses and have a space to enjoy and rest.

Residents living along the Anacostia River deserve a waterfront just as beautiful as the residents of Georgetown,鈥� Kratz said.

The song release party symbolizes a celebratory reflection of where the project started. Kratz said, 鈥淟ong term residents who’ve been here through some of the challenging times, through the disinvestment, can be here for the good times.鈥�

Much like D.C.鈥檚 syncopated go-go music, the future of the Anacostia community history must be preserved, said Dr. Deborah Evans, board member of the Go-Go Museum.

鈥淧rogress is good, but we have to maintain the history of the community.鈥�

The post 鈥淭ake it to the Bridge鈥�: Go-go song release party celebrates 11th Street Bridge Park first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Initially deployed to combat crime, the National Guard is now turning to advisory neighborhood commissions seeking a community to-do list; not everyone is on board.

Picking up trash is not the reason they came to D.C., but it鈥檚 now part of the Guard鈥檚 new mission.

With crime in D.C. at a 30-year low, President Trump in August declared a crime emergency invoking the Home Rule Act to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department and activate the National Guard from D.C. and six Republican-led states.听 Just weeks into the deployment, the National Guard is seeking beautification projects across the city鈥攁 move that has sparked mixed reactions from caution to collaboration.听 Leaders and residents are divided on whether to collaborate or stand firm on the Guard鈥檚 departure.

鈥淚f you want people to do beautification projects, why not rehire the people that were just fired from the National Park Service,鈥� Adams said.

A shift in direction happened Sept. 8 when D.C. National Guard Director Marcus Hunt sent a District-wide letter to advisory neighborhood commissioners 鈥渞equesting help identifying projects on neighborhood beautification efforts.鈥�

Hunt, a native Washingtonian and Ward 8 resident, appealed to commissioners with a sense of partnership and urged leaders to work 鈥渁longside鈥� the National Guards as a community.

The response has been mixed. Earlier this month, 93 different ANCs penned a published in The 51^st opposing the deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. 鈥淚t is a direct attack on the freedom and independence every community deserves,鈥� the commissioners wrote.

Commissioners in Ward 8 were among the first to reject Hunt’s request to help, voting unanimously to refuse the offer. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 need the National Guard in the community to help with beautification鈥� they said.

Ward 1 ANC leaders also declined to respond, calling the offer 鈥渦ncomfortable and concerning.鈥�

However, Ward 7 Commissioner John Adams said, 鈥淲e invite and embrace鈥� the help.

ANC 6B, which represents Capitol Hill and Hill East is still pondering the decision.

David Sobelsohn, ANC 6B secretary, said that ANC Commissioner Edward Ryder considered holding an emergency meeting on the request but ultimately decided to wait until the full body meeting on Oct. 15 when the public can weigh in.

The troops will be here until December, so we have time to make a 鈥渕easured decision,” Sobelsohn said.

Sobelsohn said some constituents would like to see the ANCs work more collaboratively with the National Guard. 听He said his commission conferred with the Home Rule Caucus, an informal group of roughly 75 ANCs that advocates for D.C. self-governance.

Sobelsohn said the alternative responses falls into three camps: reject the offer outright, find collaborative ways to work with the troops or ignore the offer and don鈥檛 respond. 鈥淥ne and three are essentially the same,鈥� he added.

While all ANCs agree in principle that the troops should go home, Sobelsohn said there is a school of thought that says, 鈥渋f they are going to wander the streets aimlessly, we should let them do something.鈥�

Former federal contractor Ryan Donaldson, who said he has witnessed crime first-hand, deemed the National Guard as a necessary deterrent and supports its presence for both safety and beautification efforts.

Donaldson, a Capitol Hill resident, said as a federal city, D.C. represents the pride of the nation and 鈥渨e need to put our best foot forward.鈥�

Donaldson said he has had his bike stolen a few times, witnessed a resident assaulted by a homeless person and even found a discarded handgun at a D.C. Metro station.听 鈥淪o yes, I support more police and National Guard presence鈥攏ot just for me but for everyone who lives and works here,鈥� he said.

However, Adams said she sees the beautification efforts as a political move.

鈥淚f this was really about crime, we鈥檇 see the National Guard in high-crime areas鈥攏ot picking up trash near $800,000 homes and monuments,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his feels more like a test of presidential power than a public safety mission.鈥�

Adams, a remote tech employee, added, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 need troops to beautify D.C.鈥攖his money could be going toward schools and school programs, instead it鈥檚 being spent on a military presence we didn鈥檛 ask for.鈥�

Pentagon civilian employee Mark T., who declined to provide his last name due to privacy concerns, has lived on Capitol Hill for 20 years; he offered what he described as a pragmatic approach. 鈥淚f the situation has been imposed on us, let鈥檚 make the best of it,鈥� he said.

If handled correctly and the contributions are meaningful, Mark T. said it won鈥檛 legitimize federal overreach but rather help the community. “If not, we run the risk of sounding like hyper-liberal complainers,鈥� he added.

Home Rule Caucus Chairman Miguel Trindade Deramo coordinates advocacy across the commissions and urged the National Guard to remain focused on its mission of 鈥渞eadiness to respond to security threats.鈥�

On Sept. 18, the Home Rule Caucus published a to Hunt thanking him for his offer but expressing 鈥渃ollective disapproval.鈥� The letter cited a misuse of federal resources and warned of a troubling precedent.

Trindade Deramo told 最新蜜桃影像 there is a lot of work to be done around the city, noting the inappropriate use of the Guards.

鈥淭hey are trained soldiers; we don鈥檛 need them picking up trash and laying mulch, Trindade Deramo said.鈥� The federal government needed to properly fund the National Park Services and the other agencies trained for these matters, he said.

Trindade Deramo said he didn鈥檛 fault wards who accepted the National Guard鈥檚 offer but stressed the principle of local autonomy outweighs the short-term service they provide.

Adams admits her children are amused and curious about the Guards posted in the neighborhood, but she cautioned this political environment is a slippery slope.

鈥淟eaders should be standing up and pushing back and not playing along to make the troops look more useful,鈥� she said.

D.C. leaders are navigating a delicate dance asserting local authority while responding to federal pressure and oversight.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chair Phil Mendelson spent five hours testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Sept. 18.听 While Bowser did not push back on the National Guard, she emphasized public safety must be managed locally.

鈥淟et us do our job,鈥� she told committee members.

Even with differing opinions on beautification projects, there is consensus that the Guards must be treated respectfully. Adams said, 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 ask for this mission, but they are here to serve.鈥澨� Mark T. added 鈥淟et鈥檚 treat them with the pride and decorum the uniform deserves.鈥�

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, an initiative of the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities, partners with D.C. public schools and artists to create lively street murals at crosswalks aimed at reducing accidents.

Samantha Hamilton, an artist with Chalk Riot, a mural company specializing in vibrant pavement art, works with two third grade classes from Maury Elementary School, a neighborhood school located in the heart of Capitol Hill.

Through a STEM program that focuses on elements of the environment, Maury  students create images as a class and merge the images into one idea, Hamilton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a community process and the kids lead.鈥�

As an artist, Hamilton gets to take liberties to bring the images to life on the streets of Capitol Hill.

A graduate of American University, Hamilton鈥檚 art is prominently displayed on the streets of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

The Color Your Curb program works alongside the city鈥檚 Vision Zero, a Mayor Muriel Bowser-backed DDOT鈥檚 program aimed at producing zero fatalities and serious injuries on D.C. streets.

Greg Billings, DDOT鈥檚 bike pathway branch manager, said he works to implement curb extensions on city streets where pedestrian safety is a concern, adding that the program is data driven. 

Artists like Hamilton, in collaboration with neighborhood schools, then bring art murals to curb extensions.

Without the artwork, the curb extensions are not as visible, said Hamilton.

Hamilton said the science shows that 鈥渆xtending the area where pedestrians walk reduces accidents.鈥�

For 2025, participating schools include Maury as well as Columbia Heights Education Campus and Mary Reed Elementary.

Street art, political flashpoint.

As artists and officials collaborate for safer streets, art remains a political flashpoint. 

In March 2025 Bowser admittedly succumbed to 鈥減olitical pressure鈥� by removing the Black Lives Matter mural from 16^th Street.  The mural stood as reminder of the city鈥檚 racial reckoning after the 2020 death of George Floyd and Bowser鈥檚 defiance at the time against President Donald Trump.

Reflecting on the mural鈥檚 removal, Hamilton said, 鈥淭he removal of the Black Lives Matter mural was terrifying.鈥�  While it didn鈥檛 directly target Hamilton鈥檚 work, she said, 鈥淚t jeopardized the work of all artists鈥� and sent shockwaves through the art community as to what could be next.  

More recently, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a directive urging states across the country to remove street art and murals, citing defacement and driver distraction. 

Erik Salmi, Councilmember Charles Allen鈥檚 deputy chief of staff, said, 鈥淚f the federal approach gains traction, it could roll back safety measures in the name of aesthetics.鈥� 

Salmi pushed back on the federal framing of street art as a distraction, saying, 鈥淲henever a street changes, especially in a way people don鈥檛 expect, it causes people to slow down鈥攊t鈥檚 a safety benefit.鈥�

Salmi said he doesn鈥檛 have any concern that street murals pose a safety risk.

鈥淒DOT has rolled it out, they are doing it with safety in mind. It’s not willy nilly, they follow strict guidelines and data,鈥� Salmi said.

Amid growing concerns of directed art removal, Hamilton and leaders from Chalk Riot met with Rep Maxwell Frost (D-Fla) last week.  Frost, who has introduced legislation to support emerging artists, is taking up the issue directly with local artists in what may be strategic step for further federal directives.

Hamilton said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge concern that there’s going to be legislation coming down the pipeline to make it illegal and cover all of them without warning.鈥� 

Florida Gov. Ron Desantis, a Republican, under the direction of the new Road Safety initiative, removed a painted rainbow crosswalk that served as a memorial for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida. DeSantis and his team removed the painting overnight without notification or consultation, sparking concerns within the art community that it could happen anywhere.  

According to Hamilton, Frost briefed the Chalk Riot team on the developments in Florida and explained there is 鈥榥o law or pending legislation鈥� mandating the removal of street murals.

Despite the federal initiative, D.C. officials are doubling down on data driven public safety measures.   Salmi said in D.C., 鈥渢raffic deaths and major crashes are down considerably.鈥�  

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