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Representatives of the International Indigenous Youth Council have called on Senator Barrasso, chair of the Indian Affairs Committee, to hold a hearing on the Dakota Access Pipeline. He has refused to do so. On Sep 20, Youth Council representatives and allies delivered a message loud and clear to Barrasso's office.

Video from the visit to Sen Barasso's office

On the 17th of September, "We Are Cove Point" took to the water in Annapolis, MD in several kayaks and a sailboat against Dominion's LNG export plant at Cove Point, MD. The kayaktivists were demanding that MD Governor Hogan order a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) to determine just how dangerous the under-construction fracked gas export plant really is. Given the recent explosion of leaked residential gas that was enough to demolish an apartment building in Silver Spring, MD, it pays to take the risks associated with natural gas seriously. Several large LNG plants have exploded over the years, and amount of gas potentially involved in such blasts can be measured in kilotons. The Cove Point plant is unique for being in a populated area.

In recent years DC's developers and their bought-and-paid for politicians have been trying to move out the residents of Barry Farms to make way for "redevelopment" and what they think of as "progress." On the 17th of September, the 11th st Bridge Park Washington Performing Arts held a Lantern Walk remembering the African-American builders who built their homes in Barry Farms and Hillsdale while working such long hours in town that they often had to walk back to Anacostia by lantern light. Some of the participants in the Lantern Walk sang "We shall not be moved" by the 11th St Bridge, a clear reference to the current threats to Barry Farms.

Video highlights of the Lantern Walk

The 14th of September featured another DC Bike Party, this time on a route including Memorial Bridge into Virginia and back. As always hundreds of riders showed up. The DC Bike Parties are once again on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Video highlights of the ride

On the 14th of September, activists opposing construction of the Dakota Access pipeline shut down two branches of TD Bank. Several of the protesters on Sep 14th drove all the way from Standing Rock, N Dakota, an over 20 hour drive. TD Bank is a major investor in the pipeline, just as they were a major investor in the failed attempt to build the Keystone XL. During that campaign some called them "Tar Dollar" bank. The first branch locked out customers after an advance team of three entered the branch to read out a letter condemning their investments in the pipeline. The second branch was found locked when protesters reached it, it is unknown if they had been locked up all through the protest at the first branch or locked up when activsts departed from there. TD Bank locked down so protesters didn't have to it seems.

Video-marching on and closing two TD Bank Branches plus a warning for Obama

On the 12th of September, DC social activists and religious leaders began holding "Moral Mondays" at the DC Council demanding that miniumum wages be raised, public housing be perserved, schools and public property not be privatized, mass incarceration be ended, and more. Moral Mondays began in North Carolina as a protest against right-wing and racist policies of the state government such as restricting voting rights and cutting social programs. In North Carolina Moral Mondays are known for civil disobedience, DC councilmembers should consider the possibility that failure to address the needs of the people could force the use of civil disobedience here in DC as well.

On the 15th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, a "Unity Walk" originated at Washington Hebrew Congregation, ended at the Islamic Center, and stopped in at most of the churches, temples, and other religious institutions along the way. The march was in opposition to religious hate, under the theme "know your neighbor." At the Islamic Center, a Jewish Rabbi spoke condemning the persecution of US Muslims that has taken place since the entirely foreign 9-11 attacks. No direct mention of Trump and the wave of hate he was stirred up was necessary.

Video-A Rabbi condemns Islamophobia, speaking at the closing ceremony at the Islamic center

Prisoners nationally have gone out on a work stoppage on Friday, Sep 9. Prisoners in MD at Jessup state prison and Cumberland Federal prison, and in VA at the Red Onion, Buckingham, and Fluvanna state prisons and are participating in the work stoppage. They need your help to prevent retaliation against them by prison officials. People are being asked to call several of the prisons so the staff will understand that trouble on the inside will have consequences on the outside.The demand of the strike is simple: end slavery in US prisons!

A variety of solidarity actions took place around DC and Baltimore on Sep 9th and 10 targetting corporations like Mcdonalds, Starbucks, and Verizon that profit from prison labor plus a protest by the IWW outside the MD correctional facility in Baltimore

On the 7th of September, Code Pink protested US arms sales to Saudi Arabia at the Hart Building as Congress came back to town. Saudi Arabia is using those US weapons to bomb Yemen in support of their sectarian agenda there and has even bombed schools. While one team stayed outside a second team went inside-and was threatened with arrest over giving supporters of Saudi Arabia's bombing campaign the "bloody hands" treatment.