Free DC
@freedcproject.bsky.social
The people of the District of Columbia deserve dignity, respect, and self-determination. Join our movement to win it. #FreeDC
freedcproject.org
freedcproject.org
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Free DC
@freedcproject.bsky.social
· Jan 14
We're building power to make DC’s demand for full democratic representation un-ignorable. Our communities deserve dignity, respect, and self-determination. Join the effort to win it. #FreeDC
Reposted by Free DC
These stories show what the 51st is about, and what D.C. is about.
See the full list of our team's favorite stories from 2025:
See the full list of our team's favorite stories from 2025:
Our favorite stories we published in 2025
Stories we hope never get lost.
51st.news
December 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
These stories show what the 51st is about, and what D.C. is about.
See the full list of our team's favorite stories from 2025:
See the full list of our team's favorite stories from 2025:
Reposted by Free DC
This Christmas's family gingerbread structure had to be Rowdy Audi, one of the few places of pure joy for us this year. Bonus points if you can name the goal we tried to recreate.
(Hope we did the @spiritsquadron.bsky.social & @roseroomco.bsky.social et al. justice in the supporters' end.)
(Hope we did the @spiritsquadron.bsky.social & @roseroomco.bsky.social et al. justice in the supporters' end.)
December 25, 2025 at 10:43 PM
This Christmas's family gingerbread structure had to be Rowdy Audi, one of the few places of pure joy for us this year. Bonus points if you can name the goal we tried to recreate.
(Hope we did the @spiritsquadron.bsky.social & @roseroomco.bsky.social et al. justice in the supporters' end.)
(Hope we did the @spiritsquadron.bsky.social & @roseroomco.bsky.social et al. justice in the supporters' end.)
DC does not want the National Guard here. They need to go home!
December 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
DC does not want the National Guard here. They need to go home!
Reposted by Free DC
Lot of people looking at this and saying we need statehood — which we do! — but I'm also thinking about Nat'l Resources Ctte markup @freedcproject.bsky.social attended today, where @reppablojose.bsky.social said, because we don't have federal representation, local authorities deserve MORE deference
DC Cir. will allow the continued deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. while the litigation continues.
Decision rests on idea that D.C. has no sovereignty (or federalism interest) of its own bc it is not a state.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Decision rests on idea that D.C. has no sovereignty (or federalism interest) of its own bc it is not a state.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![The District of Columbia, in contrast, is a federal district, not a sovereign State. From its inception, the District has been a creation of Congress. See U.S. CONST. Art. I, § 8, cl. 17 (vesting Congress with the power “[t]o exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District * * * as may * * * become the Seat of Government of the United States”). And not just a federal district, but also the Nation’s Capital—a jurisdiction in which Congress has distinctive power to provide for the defense of the operations and property of the federal government.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:24vva42nxim6zbcmnozegoef/bafkreiduu334jmbcannco2umj5xadaxgbhvpktvqbjjkdzdnwxnunung7y@jpeg)
December 18, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Lot of people looking at this and saying we need statehood — which we do! — but I'm also thinking about Nat'l Resources Ctte markup @freedcproject.bsky.social attended today, where @reppablojose.bsky.social said, because we don't have federal representation, local authorities deserve MORE deference
Reposted by Free DC
"There’s a freedom people are craving because they’re feeling so constrained, surveilled and, frankly, threatened in so many other spheres."
Zines have made a resurgence as communities seek to share information on everything from ICE raids to local elections.
Zines have made a resurgence as communities seek to share information on everything from ICE raids to local elections.
Gen-Zine: DIY publications find new life as form of resistance against Trump
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:53 PM
"There’s a freedom people are craving because they’re feeling so constrained, surveilled and, frankly, threatened in so many other spheres."
Zines have made a resurgence as communities seek to share information on everything from ICE raids to local elections.
Zines have made a resurgence as communities seek to share information on everything from ICE raids to local elections.
Mass arrests and kettling of protestors. Tolerating a culture of white supremacy. Leading MPD’s cooperation with federal agents.
Jeffery Carroll is the wrong choice to be DC's next police chief. Tell the Mayor and Council to choose a different permanent chief: FreeDCproject.org/carroll
Jeffery Carroll is the wrong choice to be DC's next police chief. Tell the Mayor and Council to choose a different permanent chief: FreeDCproject.org/carroll
December 19, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Mass arrests and kettling of protestors. Tolerating a culture of white supremacy. Leading MPD’s cooperation with federal agents.
Jeffery Carroll is the wrong choice to be DC's next police chief. Tell the Mayor and Council to choose a different permanent chief: FreeDCproject.org/carroll
Jeffery Carroll is the wrong choice to be DC's next police chief. Tell the Mayor and Council to choose a different permanent chief: FreeDCproject.org/carroll
Trump wants DC's crime numbers to be high so he can seize power here and look legitimate while he does it.
If DC's numbers aren't what he wants, he's willing to go back and erase them.
We condemn this attempt to distort DC's objective police data. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
If DC's numbers aren't what he wants, he's willing to go back and erase them.
We condemn this attempt to distort DC's objective police data. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
DOJ report on D.C. police says chief created ‘culture of fear’
The draft report says the main reason “for the misclassifications is a culture of coercive fear that emanates from Pamela A. Smith” and some of her staff.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Trump wants DC's crime numbers to be high so he can seize power here and look legitimate while he does it.
If DC's numbers aren't what he wants, he's willing to go back and erase them.
We condemn this attempt to distort DC's objective police data. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
If DC's numbers aren't what he wants, he's willing to go back and erase them.
We condemn this attempt to distort DC's objective police data. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Free DC
The 19th-annual Brickie Awards event was one to remember! From all who earned awards & the people who nominated, to each guest who showed up to enjoy the tremendous spread we had donated by generous Ward 6 businesses, the evening at Skyline 609 has us feeling grateful for such a great community.
December 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The 19th-annual Brickie Awards event was one to remember! From all who earned awards & the people who nominated, to each guest who showed up to enjoy the tremendous spread we had donated by generous Ward 6 businesses, the evening at Skyline 609 has us feeling grateful for such a great community.
This piece is about Mississippi but word-for-word it could be about Congress's interference in DC.
"In Mississippi and across the country, communities are rising up to protect their right to self-governance and to demand a democracy that serves everyone — not just the powerful few."
"In Mississippi and across the country, communities are rising up to protect their right to self-governance and to demand a democracy that serves everyone — not just the powerful few."
The blatant power grab by the majority white legislature in a Black city like Jackson, MS is spreading across the country.
State takeovers and sweeping abusive preemption laws are rolling back progress and stripping communities of the right to self-govern and ultimately, self-determination.
State takeovers and sweeping abusive preemption laws are rolling back progress and stripping communities of the right to self-govern and ultimately, self-determination.
How Preemption Undoes Multiracial Democracy
Op-ed: As state preemption concentrates power in white conservative hands, Mississippi's Black communities are organizing to reclaim self-determination.
nextcity.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This piece is about Mississippi but word-for-word it could be about Congress's interference in DC.
"In Mississippi and across the country, communities are rising up to protect their right to self-governance and to demand a democracy that serves everyone — not just the powerful few."
"In Mississippi and across the country, communities are rising up to protect their right to self-governance and to demand a democracy that serves everyone — not just the powerful few."
Reposted by Free DC
Last week we joined with 57 other organizations as we sent a letter to @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social to urge the dismantling of unholy alliance between ICE and MPD. The letter is linked here:
festivalcenter.org/2025/12/08/9...
festivalcenter.org/2025/12/08/9...
- The Festival Center
Below is a letter signed by 58 organizations (including the Festival Center) urging the Chair of the Public Safety Committee on the DC Council to take actions ending the unholy […]
festivalcenter.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Last week we joined with 57 other organizations as we sent a letter to @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social to urge the dismantling of unholy alliance between ICE and MPD. The letter is linked here:
festivalcenter.org/2025/12/08/9...
festivalcenter.org/2025/12/08/9...
Chief Smith’s resignation underscores just how heavy the task has been, but also how much progress is possible when leadership pushes toward accountability.
May DC move closer to the safety we all deserve that’s community-centered, transparent, & rooted in justice.
www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-poli...
May DC move closer to the safety we all deserve that’s community-centered, transparent, & rooted in justice.
www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-poli...
DC Police Chief Pamela Smith speaks with FOX 5 about decision to resign
Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said her decision to step down at year’s end was not influenced by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s decision not to seek reelection or by the federal crime surge in th...
www.fox5dc.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Chief Smith’s resignation underscores just how heavy the task has been, but also how much progress is possible when leadership pushes toward accountability.
May DC move closer to the safety we all deserve that’s community-centered, transparent, & rooted in justice.
www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-poli...
May DC move closer to the safety we all deserve that’s community-centered, transparent, & rooted in justice.
www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-poli...
The National Guard should be home this holiday season. Today together with our allies at Common Defense we asked holiday shoppers to share their reasons why they want the Guard to go home.
Our demand remains: National Guard out NOW.
Our demand remains: National Guard out NOW.
December 6, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The National Guard should be home this holiday season. Today together with our allies at Common Defense we asked holiday shoppers to share their reasons why they want the Guard to go home.
Our demand remains: National Guard out NOW.
Our demand remains: National Guard out NOW.
We’re outside the Kennedy Center today where Donald Trump is attending the World Cup draw. The World Cup is a chance for the world to come together but this president is a leader who represents nothing but division, greed, and cruelty.
December 5, 2025 at 4:51 PM
We’re outside the Kennedy Center today where Donald Trump is attending the World Cup draw. The World Cup is a chance for the world to come together but this president is a leader who represents nothing but division, greed, and cruelty.
“These were indiscriminate enforcement actions going after any person who appeared to be an immigrant. … What’s motivating them is just sheer numbers.”
Most immigrants arrested in Trump’s D.C. crackdown had no criminal records
A Post analysis of federal data shows that the arrests of immigrants with no prior criminal record shot up sixfold during the Trump administration’s crackdown.
wapo.st
December 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
“These were indiscriminate enforcement actions going after any person who appeared to be an immigrant. … What’s motivating them is just sheer numbers.”
Starting now: DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto convenes a hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety about public safety issues facing DC.
December 4, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Starting now: DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto convenes a hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety about public safety issues facing DC.
The youth have something to say and tomorrow we will listen up!
Join us, tomorrow at 3pm after the Public Safety hearing beginning at 9am. Black Swan Academy’s Youth Organizers and Free DC’s Youth Safety Strategy Coalition join in the fight to protect our youth and uplift their voices!
Join us, tomorrow at 3pm after the Public Safety hearing beginning at 9am. Black Swan Academy’s Youth Organizers and Free DC’s Youth Safety Strategy Coalition join in the fight to protect our youth and uplift their voices!
December 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The youth have something to say and tomorrow we will listen up!
Join us, tomorrow at 3pm after the Public Safety hearing beginning at 9am. Black Swan Academy’s Youth Organizers and Free DC’s Youth Safety Strategy Coalition join in the fight to protect our youth and uplift their voices!
Join us, tomorrow at 3pm after the Public Safety hearing beginning at 9am. Black Swan Academy’s Youth Organizers and Free DC’s Youth Safety Strategy Coalition join in the fight to protect our youth and uplift their voices!
Reposted by Free DC
NEW: Judge Howell barred the Trump administration from continuing to make warrantless immigration arrests in DC unless there is probable cause to believe there is a risk of flight.
The admin illegally lowered the standard, she said.
w/ @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
The admin illegally lowered the standard, she said.
w/ @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 3:22 PM
NEW: Judge Howell barred the Trump administration from continuing to make warrantless immigration arrests in DC unless there is probable cause to believe there is a risk of flight.
The admin illegally lowered the standard, she said.
w/ @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
The admin illegally lowered the standard, she said.
w/ @hassankanu.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Free DC
Late last night, a federal court judge issued a ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from continuing to carry out indiscriminate immigration arrests in Washington, D.C.
www.courthousenews.com/judge-orders...
www.courthousenews.com/judge-orders...
Judge orders Trump administration to halt warrantless immigration arrests in District of Columbia
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell emphasized the fact that an immigration status violation is a civil, not criminal violation, and said viewing all immigrants as criminals was legally “plain wrong.”
www.courthousenews.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Late last night, a federal court judge issued a ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from continuing to carry out indiscriminate immigration arrests in Washington, D.C.
www.courthousenews.com/judge-orders...
www.courthousenews.com/judge-orders...
A federal judge has ruled that ICE's "systemic failure to apply the probable cause standard, including the failure to consider escape risk" when making arrests in DC directly violates immigration law and DHS's own regulations.
DC: 1
ICE: 0
👏👏👏
DC: 1
ICE: 0
👏👏👏
Judge blocks widespread immigration arrests in DC made without warrants or probable cause
Injunction was sought by civil liberties groups in lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
A federal judge has ruled that ICE's "systemic failure to apply the probable cause standard, including the failure to consider escape risk" when making arrests in DC directly violates immigration law and DHS's own regulations.
DC: 1
ICE: 0
👏👏👏
DC: 1
ICE: 0
👏👏👏
Reposted by Free DC
A federal judge ruled the Trump administration had “exceeded the bounds of [its] authority" in deploying the D.C. National Guard, and lacked the authority to call up out-of-state Guardsmen to patrol in D.C.
What does this mean? Don't miss @maustermuhle.bsky.social's reporting:
What does this mean? Don't miss @maustermuhle.bsky.social's reporting:
Federal judge: National Guard deployment in DC is ‘unlawful’
The 2,300 Guardsmen aren’t headed home just yet, though.
51st.news
November 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
A federal judge ruled the Trump administration had “exceeded the bounds of [its] authority" in deploying the D.C. National Guard, and lacked the authority to call up out-of-state Guardsmen to patrol in D.C.
What does this mean? Don't miss @maustermuhle.bsky.social's reporting:
What does this mean? Don't miss @maustermuhle.bsky.social's reporting:
Reposted by Free DC
Judge Howell just enjoined warrantless immigration arrests in DC without probable cause to believe the person is a flight risk.
Great work by ACLU and Amica
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71452...
Great work by ACLU and Amica
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71452...
December 3, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Judge Howell just enjoined warrantless immigration arrests in DC without probable cause to believe the person is a flight risk.
Great work by ACLU and Amica
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71452...
Great work by ACLU and Amica
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71452...
Reposted by Free DC
Did anyone at all ask the simple but very important question: with what money?
“We’re also going to rebuild Dulles airport because it’s not a good airport,” President Trump said during a meeting of his Cabinet members at the White House. “It should be a great airport, and it’s not a good airport at all. It’s a terrible airport.”
https://to.pbs.org/4pgg5RG
https://to.pbs.org/4pgg5RG
Trump says he's rebuilding Dulles airport, calling it 'terrible' and 'incorrectly designed'
President Trump said his administration will embark on a reconstruction of Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia.
www.pbs.org
December 3, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Did anyone at all ask the simple but very important question: with what money?
BREAKING: A judge has ruled that Trump’s warrantless immigration arrests in DC are illegal and unconstitutional.
December 3, 2025 at 3:49 AM
BREAKING: A judge has ruled that Trump’s warrantless immigration arrests in DC are illegal and unconstitutional.
File under: Use 👏 every 👏 available 👏 tool 👏
Illinois state officials have given national rental car companies official notice that ICE agents using their vehicles are not allowed to swap the rental’s assigned license plates for other plates to disguise the vehicles, and if they do, the rental car companies could be held liable.
Illinois officials warn rental car companies that it is illegal for immigration agents to swap license plates
The secretary of state sent a cease and desist letter to ICE head Todd Lyons, citing “multiple reports of federal ICE agents illegally swapping out the license plates displayed on vehicles.”
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 1:55 AM
File under: Use 👏 every 👏 available 👏 tool 👏
Reposted by Free DC
I’m disappointed Rep. Hageman’s antidemocratic and paternalistic bill passed out of committee today.
If enacted, the bill would radically change how local DC laws and regulations are interpreted.
If enacted, the bill would radically change how local DC laws and regulations are interpreted.
December 2, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I’m disappointed Rep. Hageman’s antidemocratic and paternalistic bill passed out of committee today.
If enacted, the bill would radically change how local DC laws and regulations are interpreted.
If enacted, the bill would radically change how local DC laws and regulations are interpreted.