WASHINGTON — For some, protesting has become a Saturday tradition. Back in June, it was not unusual to see hundreds of protesters hitting the streets to demand justice for Black lives and condemn police brutality. But now crowds have thinned as this summer’s momentum begins to wane, and many young activists have returned to school. In D.C., a dedicated group of activists are making sure that the fight for Black lives is not lost in the news cycle. A collective of D.C.-based organizations rally their volunteers every Saturday to feed the homeless, discuss ways to be better allies and to march in the streets. DC Protests, They/Them Collective, Occupy DC and Freedom Fighters are amongst the groups continuing to put pressure on the capital to reckon with police brutality and systemic racism.
After a discussion around allyship, protesters marched from Malcolm X Park in Adams Morgan. They walked through residential areas chanting, “who keeps us safe? We keep us safe!” (Madison Muller/MNS)
Onlookers in Adams Morgan expressed support for Black Lives Matter and Joe Biden, as protesters marched by their home. (Madison Muller/MNS)
D.C. Metropolitan Police officers flanked the group in vehicles, and on bikes, as they walked through the neighborhood. Bike marshals, protesters tasked with creating a barrier between police and the group, walked at the back. (Madison Muller/MNS)
Protesters made a point to emphasize that Breonna Taylor, a 26-year old EMT who was killed by police in March, still has not received the justice she deserves. In the grand jury decision in her case two weeks ago, only one of three officers involved in her death was indicted on wanton endangerment. (Madison Muller/MNS)
As the group marched by an EMS building in Adams Morgan, one police officer could be seen taking photos and video of protesters. (Madison Muller/MNS)
DC Protests was formed at the beginning of the summer in response to George Floyd’s death, but Justin has prioritized the fight to dismantle systemic racism since he was a teenager. (Madison Muller/MNS)
As the group marched into Adams Morgan’s bustling bar scene on a Saturday night, patrons at Pitchers Bar raised fists in solidarity. (Madison Muller/MNS).
One of the employees at Pitchers Bar walked into the street to embrace a protester. These folks have gotten to know each other over the summer, as Saturday’s protest group has marched a similar route every weekend since June. (Madison Muller/MNS)
Several other restaurants offered their support to protesters, as well. They had water bottles ready as protesters walked by, and let them take a break in the street near their restaurants. This is important because many of the summer’s marches were very long, sometimes going into the early morning hours on Sunday. (Madison Muller/MNS)
During the break, one officer was egged in the back by an unknown protester. Immediately, organizers called a dispersal order in fear of retaliation. They also condemned the individual’s actions, emphasizing safety, given that protesters have been intimidated and punished on several occasions. (Madison Muller/MNS)
Soon after the group dispersed, police surrounded a smaller group of protesters as they walked away, arresting a 16-year old boy who was attending the protest with his mother. He was later released.
On Monday, U.S. Park Police attempted to serve an arrest warrant at the home of some They/Them Collective activists. However, the warrant was intended for an individual that has not lived at that address for over a year. When police attempted to enter the home, they were stopped by its residents and neighbors who determined they did not have a search warrant. It was reported Monday night that other activists were met by police officers at their homes, as well.