Special occupation anniversary edition
One year ago, the Trump administration deployed the National Guard on District streets, allegedly to curb an out-of-control crime wave– despite actual data available on government websites that showed crime was on the way down. Since then, the deployment has become an unwelcome everyday sight on DC streets–– and will continue to be so through January 20, 2029, because $1.4 billion later, they are funded through that date. This is a military takeover of an American city and it’s not just expensive and pointless: it’s also wrong. (PBS, WUSA-9, The Hill, NPR)
What has the country’s saddest Eighth grade trip brought us? In our neighborhood, it’s been mostly seeing troops milling about aimlessly, spawning from the former Uno Pizzeria spot at Union Station and going on long, sad walks down Massachusetts Avenue. Occasionally, they have helped the public (DVIDS). But in other areas of town, human rights violations (CM Brianne Nadeau) have been rampant and troubling. We’ve seen videos of National Guards hurting District bodies with no provocation and many of our residents are afraid. Free DC has been holding special events to memorialize those who’ve been hurt or killed by ICE and they just held an event earlier today to mark this strange anniversary. Click here to learn more about Free DC or to join.
You can also read this open letter from Free DC marking the occupation anniversary.
In other news,
Remember that you can still make your voice heard in the RFK project. The comment period ends August 14. Click here to submit or email OP.RFKMasterPlan@dc.gov
You can also weigh in on the H Street Land Use and Market Study. Click here to read and give your input.
Will the new Rumsey pool be deep enough? Hill Rag
Even the Baltimore Banner weighed in on the future of RFK vis a vis the neighbors.
ANC 6B has voted to rename the traffic intersection/circle at Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenues, SE, Roberta Flack circle. More on ANC 6B at the Hill Rag.
Wanna run for ANC? Greater Greater Washington tells you why you should.
This is old news, as it happened at the end of July, but after about five years, Junction Bakery at the corner of 3rd and Massachusetts Avenue NE has called it quits. Junction, whose delicious cheddar chive biscuits will make us do the pilgrimage to Del Ray, struggled at the spot, going so far as closing on weekends. Unfortunately, the location seemed to have persistent traffic problems and July 24 was their last day. They will be missed.
Açaí bowls are coming to 700 Pennsylvania Avenue. Yum? Hoodline
And it looks like Duffy’s will be coming back to Hill East! PoPville
The OAG won a $1.25M judgment against Kenneth Brewer Sr., former Executive Director of H Street Community Development Corporation (HSCDC) for, among other things, embezzling the non-profit’s funds. (EIN Presswire). Just in time for new blood to come in and try to revitalize H Street with a new BID, perhaps? Hill Rag