DC Popular Front launching mass march to demand an end to Washington’s occupation; While locals revolt against occupation rule, Bowser embraces collaboration in DC; As DC fights occupation, socialists in Maryland scale up canvassing operations in electoral campaigns
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is
produced by local members of the chapter's Publications Working Group. The Weekly Update publishes every
Friday at 9am. Want to fight fascism from the heart of empire? Join DSA and fight to build socialism!
Paid for by Metro DC DSA (mdcdsa.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee.
UP FRONT
DC Popular Front launching mass march to demand an end to Washington’s occupation — Saturday, September 6 at 11am
The continued occupation of DC interrupted a well-deserved Labor Day respite for working people in the DMV. Federal officers, National Guard, and Trump-controlled police have continued their campaign of harassment, surveillance, and detainment of residents, immigrants, youth, and the unhoused. Coordinated defense networks — which have continued to grow and attract wider support among DC residents — have sustained rapid mobilizations to document and confront gestapo jump-outs and checkpoints. In response to growing hostility from locals, federal occupiers and their MPD lapdogs have begun travelling in larger columns. The occupiers’ behavior, too, has grown increasingly erratic: officers have lashed out, cursed, and jeered bystanders who document or confront their neighborhood invasion with far greater frequency. The occupiers’ escalation is concerning, although a sign that the resistance effort is successfully impacting morale.
The popular front against occupation continues to grow. Last weekend brought several marches and demonstrations to the streets of Washington, with continued mobilizations planned this weekend.
On Saturday, September 6, the popular front is staging its largest march yet. The march/rally — dubbed WE ARE ALL DC — will be joined by organized labor, neighborhood associations, and all manner of civil society organizations in the city. The objective is to unify the local opposition movement, move together, demonstrate strength, and sap the occupation of its ability to contain mass resistance. The rally will meet on the green atMalcolm X Park (16th St NW & W St NW) at 11am, with plans to march at 12pm. Metro DC DSA has endorsed this event and has called on all members and allies to engage if able. RSVP to receive notice from the Democratic Socialists HERE. Attendees can look for red roses to identify Metro DC DSA’s contingent.
An additional mobilization is planned for tonight, September 5, to converge at Navy Yard Metro Station at 7pm. This is the third round of Mass Cop Watches initiated by the DC Against Trump Coalition (Metro DC DSA is a lead in this coalition). Federal presence has swelled in Navy Yard since the occupation began. A curfew zone has been initiated to imprison local youth and scare off those who have resisted intensifying gentrification in the neighborhood.
And on Sunday, September 7 at 2pm in Malcolm X Park, socialists will host a Rapid Response Art Build and Bike Tune-Up. Organizers in the chapter have been responding to the fascist takeover of DC with large morning patrols by foot and bicycle in targeted areas. On Sunday, socialists will be painting banners and signs to use on patrols and helping cyclists tune up their bikes for the coming week’s rides.RSVP to the art build here. Additionally, antifascists can sign up here to join future patrol efforts. Another way to help keep neighbors safe and informed: Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and DC Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid have launched Film the Police DC, a central hub for community members to send photos, videos, and tips at [email protected].
MURIEL THE MARIONETTE: While locals revolt against occupation rule, Bowser embraces collaboration in DC — teach-in on Sunday, September 7 at 2pm
As socialists and community members organize to defend one another, Trump is attempting to shore up his deeply unpopular occupation puppet, Muriel Bowser. Bowser spent the last week boosting the surge in the city over the cries of outraged residents, including by signing Executive Order 2025-090, which formalizes cooperation with federal forces. Trump has elevated Bowser’s compliance to plot the siege of other American cities: Chicago and Baltimore have been named as possible targets. Despite the mayor’s surrender, Congressional Republicans have continued their assault on DC home rule.
Bowser’s compliance has been a complete failure for the city. And while there are hard limits to Bowser’s power, her capitulation is not some convoluted attempt at a winning strategy. It is the logical end point of the neoliberal political program she has pursued aggressively over the years: the mass sale of public land at bargain prices to private developers, the privatization of city services, overturning ballot initiatives that intrude on capitalist profiteering, austere budget cuts, fighting modest tax increases tooth and nail, ignoring calls for deeper police accountability, and gutting tenants’ rights. The result is an administration completely disconnected from mass life, culture, and working-class organization in the city, leaving Bowser reliant on money and the ruling classes who quietly support Trump’s assaults. Muriel Bowser has always been a marionette — it’s just the puppeteer who has changed.
Bowser’s lack of vision for the District has left a void that Trump has been all too willing to fill. The DC Council, which has failed to stop — or marshal a counter-vision to — Bowser’s myopic platform, shares part of the blame. The slow growth of DC’s left bloc, helmed by Councilmember (CM) Lewis George and anchored by CMs Parker, Nadeau, Frumin, and Robert White, has been assembling an opposition, but discoordination — especially from liberal CMs Henderson and Allen — has frustrated the project. But there are signs the council’s left is planning to coalesce grassroots opposition to the puppet regime. CM R. White — one of the expected contenders for next year's mayoral race — released a particularly strong statement outlining a clear set of operations DC’s government can take to challenge the federal occupation, and even joined socialists on the streets over the weekend. However, while working people in the city want to trust R. White, his recent council maneuvers to undermine tenant protections and tipped workers’ wage increases risk impeding his wider ambitions.
As DC fights occupation, socialists in Maryland scale up canvassing operations in electoral campaigns
Focus on the DC occupation has been intense, but socialists have been leading their own electoral offense in Maryland. Metro DC DSA has endorsed chapter members Frankie Santos Fritz for Greenbelt City Council and Omodamola Williams for Gaithersburg City Council. The Prince George’s County and Montgomery County branches of the chapter have been mobilizing members to action by organizing canvassing expeditions. As Trump is now threatening to invade Baltimore, electing socialists connected directly to Maryland’s working class will be vital for defending the state from federal attacks.
In Greenbelt — canvassing expeditions for Frankie will be launching from the Greenbelt Metro Station at 12pm on the weekends of September 6, September 7, September 13, and September 14.
Metro DC DSA will also be holding a joint fundraiser for Frankie and Omo on Sunday, September 14, 6pm at the Clear Skies Meadery (15201 Display Ct, Rockville 20850). No donation is required, and all interested in meeting Frankie or Omodamola are invited to attend. RSVP for the fundraiser for updates.
New to political organizing? Want to learn more about our candidates? Want to practice a canvassing conversation before going out to the doors? Attend MDC DSA’s electoral orientation Wednesday, September 10 on Zoom from 6:30 – 8pm to get plugged in and trained. RSVP HERE.
BRIEFS
DC socialists planning to expand Spanish language skills with weekly club — Monday, September 8 at 7pm
Spanish Club for Socialists is a free weekly event where people can meet to practice their Spanish. Initiated by Metro DC DSA and local mutual aid and tenant organizing outfits, the club aims to expand Spanish language skills among the DC-area left. The next sessions run about 90 minutes long and are split into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced groups, so learners of all levels should feel welcome. The next session is scheduled for Monday, September 8 at 7pm at Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009. Sign up here for calendar updates and conversation guides at link.
Stitching Socialism: Unwind with NoVA’s Fiber Arts Club — Saturday, September 6 at 10:30am
Northern Virginia socialists from the NoVA Mutual Aid Working Group are convening at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Upper Level Conference Room on Saturday, September 6 for a morning of fiber arts, community, and conversation. Fiber artists will continue to discuss plans for skill building and projects for helping the community, including knitting/crocheting hats to donate. Everyone is encouraged to bring their current projects, or join in the hat making. The event is child-friendly and will include coloring supplies. An organizer will have free emergency contraceptive kits available to take home as part of efforts to distribute healthcare that may soon become restricted. RSVP here. On the same day, another segment of the NoVA MAWG will be joining in a seed swap workshop at the Reston Regional Library from 11am to 12pm to learn about seed preservation as well as tips and tricks for growing common garden crops.
Socialists preparing to launch new Transit Working Group to gear up for upcoming campaign
The Metro DC DSA Transit Working Group is gearing up its Tax Land, Fund Metro, Build Housing campaign for increased canvassing and strategic advocacy this fall. As the campaign develops, readers interested in getting involved in any capacity or interested in learning more about land value taxation are asked to fill out the Transit Working Group’s New Member Engagement Survey.
Socialists set to participate in Whitman Walker's 39th annual Walk and 5k to End HIV — Saturday, September 20
Support Metro DC DSA’s Bodily Autonomy Working Group's team for Whitman Walker's 39th annual Walk and 5k to End HIV. On September 20, members of Metro DC DSA will be walking Anacostia Park to help Whitman Walker raise money for HIV prevention programs and research. The foundation’s efforts have allowed them to administer nearly 15,000 HIV and STI tests last year in the DC area. To show your support, please consider signing up for the free walk or making a donation.
INFO ACCESS
The DMV is under siege by militarist authoritarians. Want to fight fascism from the heart of the empire? Join DSA and fight to build socialism! We’re the alternative that works for people, not profiteers and their captive politicians. The next session of MDC DSA’s “Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation” is in-person on Wednesday, September 10, 7 – 8pm. A virtual version is set for September 17. Learn about the Metro DC chapter — branches, working groups, campaigns, current activities, and enduring values — anytime right here. Get inside our ideas and our work through our acclaimed “Socialist Night School” — archive is here. Members are encouraged to join our Slack for real-time info on working group and campaign events, strategy/tactic exchange, and inspiration. Email [email protected] with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get access.
Staying current with MDC DSA — Weekly Updates, like the one you are reading, are scheduled and emailed on Fridays; current and past Updates are available anytime on our website. Not subscribed? DSA member or not, sign up to get the Update, the go-to source for the DMV Left. The MDC Dispatch is the chapter’s new video news series, published on the first and third Sunday of each month. Submit your Update or Dispatch suggestions (or DMV scandal tips) to our tip line. The Washington Socialist, published since the 1970s, offers in-depth analytical/opinion articles on a quarterly schedule; the Summer 2025 issue is available now. Check out the Socialist’s topic-indexed and searchable archive to see what we write — and what you can write. Anyone, MDC DSA member or not, interested in contributing to the Washington Socialist can email submissions or questions to [email protected]. Members, look in on us or join at #publications on Slack.
DMV LEFT COMMUNITY BULLETIN
DC Organizing Festival on Saturday, September 6 at 12pm | Rising Organizers
Rising Organizers, dedicated to training people in community organizing and civic engagement skills, is hosting a DC Organizing Festival aimed at bringing over 20 grassroots organizations across DC together for a day of community, organizing, and collective action. The schedule features organizing trainings and workshops, free food, resume reviews, activities for all ages, and a local organization tabling event. The festival is free to attend and will be held at the University of DC. RSVP here.
Relational Interventions to White Supremacist Violence on September 7 | DC Peace Team
DC Peace Team has been running a virtual series on relational interventions to white supremacist violence. In this Sunday’s session, focus on accountability, boundaries, conflict transformation, and community healing. Participants will build collective tools for interrupting white supremacist behaviors without replicating patterns of dehumanization, detachment, or disposability. RSVP here.
Queers Say Free DC town hall on September 15 | Claudia Jones School
Join Free DC and the Claudia Jones School on September 15 from 6 – 9pm for a community town hall for LGBTQ+ DC residents to discuss the urgent issues threatening our communities in the wake of the Trump administration’s attacks on DC and the LGBTQ+ people at large. This will be followed by a Free DC campaign orientation to learn how our community can fight back. RSVP here.
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES are articles and opinion pieces of
interest to DMV leftists but not, generally, appearing in local media.
They should have links without paywalls. Readers are invited to submit
candidates at our tip line.
In a world beset by interlinked ecological and political crises, Alyssa Battistoni’s Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature addresses two weighty questions: What is the nature of value, and what is the value of nature? Review in Spectre tx 5 Lefty Links
On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation making Labor Day a federal holiday. Five days later, on July 3, 1894, Cleveland dispatched two thousand U.S. Army troops to Chicago, Illinois, to suppress the Pullman strike, over the objections of the city’s mayor and the state’s governor. Much separates that situation from the very situation facing Chicago, and the entire country, today in the face of Donald Trump’s threats to militarize our cities. Yet the parallels are striking. Common Dreams, tx James Livingston
A recent video released by essayist Lindsay Ellis charts the interconnection between the machinery of genocide, the growth of christo-fascist zionism, and the American right’s war on empathy (and children). Ellis dives into feigned outrage drummed up against Ms Rachel — showrunner of a Youtube channel well regarded for its engaging language development programming for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
As scholar Benjamin Balthaser’s new book Citizens of the Whole World: Anti-Zionism and the Cultures of the American Jewish Left points out, not only did radical internationalism inform modern Jewish identity, it has continued to do so with a sizable, and growing, number of US Jews. When we see thousands of Jews flooding into the streets to demand a ceasefire in Palestine, they aren’t breaking from what has been too quickly assumed to be a Jewish communal consensus; they are representing a long-established Jewish tradition of solidarity against oppression and showing that stilted nationalism offers no path toward liberation. Spectre
Blue states are finally learning what red states have known all along: you don’t need federal permission to govern. The phrase “soft secession” makes Democrats nervous. They prefer “resistance” or “federalism” or any other euphemism that doesn’t acknowledge what’s happening. But when democracy fails, when fair elections become impossible in certain states, when federal funds are withheld as political punishment, states don’t have many options left. The Existential Republic (substack)
Why did Louisiana develop into such a stronghold of the US prison regime? As geographer Lydia Pelot-Hobbs demonstrates in her recent book,Prison Capital: Mass Incarceration and Struggles for Abolition Democracy in Louisiana, the answer lies in the interconnection between activism among imprisoned people, the state’s petroeconomy during the 1970s oil crisis, and the relationship between state prisons and local jails that developed across the neoliberal era. This story is essential to understanding how activists reimagined the state in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and gained significant abolitionist victories, with lessons for similar struggles in New Orleans and beyond. N+1
It’s easy to understand the desire for revenge in response to traumatizing violence. In the new book The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World’s Deadliest Addiction—and How to Overcome It, James Kimmel Jr. explains that neuroscientists believe that the desire for revenge can be as strong as an addict’s desire for drugs. That’s especially true for young people who don’t have mentors or counselors to help them process trauma in a healthy way. Too often, they cope by using drugs, alcohol, and partaking in other reckless behaviors — including violence. Spectre
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is produced by
local members of the chapter's Publications working group. The Weekly Update publishes every Friday at
9am.
Paid for by Metro DC DSA (mdcdsa.org). Not authorized by any candidate or committee.
Thinking about it, but want to get this email Update every Friday? SIGN UP
HERE
The flame of thought, the magnificence of art, the wonder of discovery, and the audacity of invention
all belong to revolutionary periods when humanity, tired of its chains, shatters them and stops inebriated to
breathe the breeze of a vast and free horizon. - Virgilia D'Andrea
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