Press Release About #DCFerguson Demonstrations

Ed. Note: Just after 8:45am DC Alerts emailed:

“DDOT reports protesters at 14th and D St, SW. 14th St is blocked in both directions at D. The 14th Street bridge is affected by the closure. Please use an alternate route to avoid delays.” and at 9am “DDOT reports the 14th St Bridge is now open. MPD reports protesters are on Independence Ave, SW and there will be rolling closures.”

From a press release:

“In the wake of the non-indictment of Darren Wilson the proliferation of protest actions around the D.C. Metropolitan area and the nation only underscore the need for actual solutions to the myriad of abuses perpetrated by police departments across the country.

On Monday November 24th hundreds, led by Howard University students, demonstrated from U St to the Supreme Court demanding justice. On Tuesday, in the first of three #DCFerguson actions, thousands shut down major downtown commercial areas and the entrance to 395. On Black Friday #DCFerguson joined with hundreds of others in front of the H St. NW Wal-Mart making the connection between low wage work and the criminal justice system. On Saturday #DCFerguson once again shutdown major shopping areas in Georgetown with hundreds of demonstrations. On Sunday an independent group of protestors conducted a die-in shutting down portions of I-395.

The clear takeaway from the proliferation of actions conducted by #DCFerguson and others is that despite the onset of cold weather and efforts by authorities to dampen protests by raising the specter of potential danger, the movement continues to grow. The time is now for serious action on the local, state and federal level. The militarization of the police in both weapons and tactics should end now. Structures accountable to the community should be put in place. Ultimately there needs to be serious actions that address the poverty and inequality that lie at the root of today’s racially and class biased criminal justice policies.
We plan to continue our efforts to end policies like “jump-outs” in the District as well as continuing to demand changes on a national level.

The original #DCFerguson Call to Action explains: “Residents of the District of Columbia, just like millions around the country recognize that at the root of Ferguson are the social, racial and economic injustices that exist nationwide. They know that Ferguson could really be anywhere and Michael Brown could be any young Black male. According to a report by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, every 28 hours a Black person is killed by a police officer, security, or vigilante in the United States. There is almost complete impunity for the perpetrators of most of these crimes. The political marginalization and racialized poverty that exist in Ferguson are replicated in communities across the country.

“The murder of Michael Brown and the situation in Ferguson can and should be a turning point. Where we finally come to terms with the root causes of these issues and address social deprivation and oppression and the police brutality that comes with it.”

The #DCFerguson coalition was initiated by the National Black United Front, ANSWER Coalition, WE ACT Radio as well as organizers affiliated with ONE DC and of no particular affiliation. Our central organizing core is made up of Eugene Puryear, Marybeth Onyeukwu, Salim Adofo, Yasmina Mrabet, Kenny Nero Jr., and a representative of We Act Radio.