Washington, D.C., has seen about two weeks of mass demonstrations against police brutality and for racial equality after the May 25 killing of 46-year-old black man George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis. And in the days ahead, more gatherings — including protests, vigils, and chalk events — are planned across the Washington metropolitan area.
Many of the protests and vigils are being organized by local community groups and activists on social media. Below is a roundup of just some of those events, which we’ve arranged in chronological order, according to online listings. The organizers are largely recommending that participants don masks and practice social distancing to the extent possible to help blunt the transmission of COVID-19.
Washington Ethical Society SEEK Sidewalk Chalk Party
Date: June 10, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: The Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th St. NW
Description: “Come decorate WES’ front walk to affirm our belief that Black Lives Matter. Some chalk will be available, and we encourage you to bring your own. Masks are required, and social distancing will be in effect: love and justice will cross all borders, but not the sidewalk demarcation lines!” (Rain date: June 11, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Until Freedom DC We’re Not Done March
Date: June 10, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Black Lives Matter Plaza, near the White House
Description: “People are partying but there’s nothing to celebrate yet! Bring your signs, passion, and voices!”
846 Vigil and Protest for Black Lives
Date: June 10, 6 p.m. to 6:09 p.m.
Location: Logan Circle
Description: “For those who can make it to Logan Circle, we will all gather in silence as a community at 6pm for 8 minutes and 46 seconds every evening to take a knee out of respect and solidarity, and in memory of George [Floyd], Breonna [Taylor], Ahmaud [Arbery], and so many others. Hold up a sign if you like.”
Bhakti Yoga DC Chant for Change
Date: June 10, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: 16th and H streets NW
Description: “Last Saturday we chanted! We marched down #BlackLivesMatterPlaza and sang out the names of God, praying for change, divine intervention, and the transformation of a system that no longer serves the people . Join @bhaktiyogadc for our second Kirtan for #BlackLivesMatter on the corner of Hst and 16th st NW, infront of the White House.”
Concerned Citizens Rally at the Lincoln Memorial
Date: June 10, 6:30 p.m. to past 8 p.m.
Location: Chase Bank at 14th Street NW and New York Avenue NW (6:30 p.m. meet up), White House (7 p.m.), Lincoln Memorial (8 p.m.)
Description: “Join us for the march, the rally, or both.”
SW DC Action Rally for Racial Justice in Southwest
Date: June 12, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: 4th and M streets SW
Description: “Join us for a physically distanced rally! Be prepared to stand at least 6 feet apart from others.”
Faith-led DC Vigils Against Racism
Date: June 12, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: 16th Street NW and elsewhere
Description: “The plan is to cover as much of 16th NW as possible, although everyone is welcome to hold vigil on major streets in their own neighborhood (if you’re doing one in your neighborhood, let us know and we’ll list it below). … This is a decentralized action. There is no program other than 45 minutes of public vigil and then silent witness starting at 5:45 when participating institutions toll their bells for 8 minutes and 46 seconds—the amount of time the officer’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck.”
Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America Fund Care, Not Cops Rally and March
Date: June 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: John Marshall Park to Freedom Plaza
Description: “In the face of unprecedented cuts from COVID-19, we demand the [D.C.] Council defund [the Metropolitan Police Department], divest from policing, and invest in our communities through housing, healthcare, education, social services, public transportation, and real anti-violence programs. Black and brown residents of this city are over-policed and under-resourced, and it’s past time the Council shows that Black Lives Matter, by putting its money where its mouth is.”
Revolution DC Say Their Names Vigil
Date: June 12, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Boys and Girls Club lawn, 4103 Benning Rd. NE
Description: “We are asking all attendees to please wear a mask & bring a blanket.”
Malcolm X Park Peaceful Protest
Date: June 13, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 16th and W Streets NW
Description: Volunteers and people dropping off supplies asked to arrive at the park at noon. The peaceful protest includes a march from the park to Trump Hotel downtown.
College Park George Floyd Memorial Ride
Date: June 13, 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Location: 10100 Baltimore Ave. (College Park)
Description: “This is an organized peaceful group ride to remember Floyd & show support for change in hiring practices within all police departments & justice for the many blacks murdered senselessly like Floyd.”
Activist-led DC Pride2020 March and Caravan
Date: June 13, 2:30 p.m. to past 4:30 p.m.
Location: Jesup Blair Park (7701 Blair Rd Silver Spring)
Description: “In response to the continued terror that Black People face in DC and the lack of integrity displayed by capital pride — three years after hundreds of No Justice No Pride activists shut down the 2017 Capital Pride parade demanding a Police free Pride — NJNP among a coalition of community groups rooted in abolition is rejecting Capital Pride Alliances failed leadership and returning Pride to its roots. A protest against police violence.”
Black Parents of Arlington South Arlington Vigil and Call to Action
Date: June 13, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School, 3500 South 23rd St. (Arlington)
Description: “Speakers will enlighten the community on what they can do to help enact change in our Arlington.”
DC Juneteenth Front Yard Festival for Justice
Date: June 19, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Throughout D.C.
Description: “There is no set program other than a suggested banging of pots from 7:00-7:09pm followed by a minute of silence for George Floyd from 7:09-7:10pm. Our block [in Petworth] will be socially distanced but cooking out on our front lawns, listening to music, dancing, conversing, making lawn signs, and potentially marching on our sidewalks to affirm that Black Lives Matter.”
