By Brittney Drakeford (Contributor), Ras Tafari Cannady II (Guest Contributor) • June 1, 2020
Historic discriminatory urban design practices, such as redlining and restrictive zoning, continue to degrade the health of communities of color. In order to build more equitable communities, planners must better understand and acknowledge this legacy of discrimination — and actively work to undo its persisting effects.
By Alex Baca (Housing Program Organizer) • June 1, 2020
An election can feel like the furthest thing in our minds in a world wracked by COVID-19 and protests over police violence, but Tuesday, June 2 is Election Day for primaries in DC and Maryland, and Virginia on June 23. DC also has a special election in Ward 2 on June 16, and in Arlington on July 7.
By Christina Sturdivant Sani (Contributor) • June 1, 2020
Looking to get ahead in your career? Join Dr. Kat Grimsley, Academic Program Director, at George Mason University for a virtual information session on June 10 to learn how a master’s degree in Real Estate Development can help advance your career.
As we continue to advocate for public space and public transportation, we must remember to those who continue to be harassed, profiled, threatened, attacked, and murdered while doing things many of us take for granted.
Last night, a resident of Swann Street, where police had corralled protestors, opened his home up to shelter between 50 and 100 people from the police. One protestor, who identified themselves in the article, posted an update on Twitter that protestors were able to leave the house this morning. (Colleen Grablick / DCist, @MekaFromThe703 / Twitter, Ryan J. Reilly / Huffington Post )
In a move criticized by DC Mayor Murriel Bowser, police and national guard units forcibly drove protesters away from Layfayette Park 25 minutes before the citywide 7 pm curfew to allow the president to stand for a photo op in front of St. John’s Church. Police continued to clash with protestors once the curfew went into effect, using a low-flying helicopter to try and disperse people and blocking off roadways around U Street. (DCist)
Less than a before President Trump took photos with a bible in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, in downtown DC, police used tear gas to vanquish several protesters from Lafayette Square park which is situated across the street from the church. An Episcopal priest and a seminarian were also removed from the patio of the church. (Jack Jenkins / Religious News Service)
Unlike in the 50 states, DC has little authority over its National Guard, which falls under the control of the secretary of defense and the president instead of a governor. DC must also contend with an alphabet soup of various federal police forces, also not accountable to the mayor, that have been supporting the U.S. Park Police actions in Layfayette Park. (Martin Austermuhle and Victoria Chamberlin / DCist)
Reporters with experience covering protests said the protests in Layfayette Park feel different than others they have covered before, noting that protestors are more willing to face off with police. At least one reporter believes the White House became a focal point because President Donald Trump is “emblematic of the systematic problems they’re trying to fight against.” (Nathan Diller / DCist)
At 8:30 pm, Arlington County withdrew all of its county police officers deployed under a mutual aid agreement to assist the US Park Police in DC, stating that the officers were “put in a compromising position that endangered their health and safety, and that of the people around them, for a purpose not worthy of our mutual aid obligations.” (ARLnow)
Because of a student-led protest scheduled for 1 pm today in Bethesda over the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Bethesda merchants “out of an overabundance of caution” are taking steps to protect storefronts in the downtown area. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
The coronavirus has led some protestors to form caravans for a “moving protest,” as was organized on Saturday by DC’s Black Lives Matter chapter and stretching “hundreds” of cars long along H Street. At least two other caravans have been used now in Chicago and Oakland, which alone saw an estimated 2,000 cars participating. (Benjamin Wofford / Washingtonian)
