8/23 DC Against Trump Coalition Rally and Cop Watch
Recognizing the need for a broad alliance to fight back against the occupation, DCAARPR teamed up with other organizations to form the DC Against Trump coalition (DCAT). On August 23, DCAT organized a large protest on 14th and U St. to confront the occupation and racist juvenile curfew zone.
The rally brought out a diverse crowd of close to 500 people and mainly featured Black and brown community speakers who were fed up with Trump’s racist attacks. DCAARPR members Terra, Amber, and Katie gave speeches, and the evening was emceed by DCAARPR organizers KB and Merawi who kept the energy high, leading protesters through chants of “Fuck the police” and “Chinga la migra!”
Protesters then took to the streets, marching down the U Street Corridor. Despite MPD’s attempts to contain the group, protesters blocked both sides of the street and were encouraged further by bystanders who chanted along and joined the march from neighborhood establishments.
After the march, the crowd dispersed into a mass Cop Watch, where groups of people filmed and confronted the police. The cop watchers caught one group of officers terrorizing an innocent man and began filming. Once confronted, the officers covered their faces, let the man go, and fled the scene.
DCAT brings together a dozen local organizations who unite for a common goal of ending the occupation and growing the resistance against Trump.
As KB, co-chair of the DCAARPR said, “You don’t have to be from DC to defend DC. You don’t have to be Black to defend Black people. You don’t have to be an immigrant to defend immigrants. Our struggles are connected. So, it is up to us, it is only up to us to ensure our liberation.”
We call on community members, grassroots organizations, and all who can be united to join us in the fight to end the occupation!
