Militarism overseas and state violence in our neighborhoods are two sides of the same coin. We condemn the Trump regime’s military strikes on Venezuela and its forcible removal of the leader of a sovereign nation.

We condemn the Trump regime's military strikes on Venezuela and its forcible removal of the leader of a sovereign nation. These actions are illegal, anti-democratic, and undermine the self-determination of people everywhere. 🧵

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:

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.)

DC does not want the National Guard here. They need to go home!

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

"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.

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

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...

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."

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...

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...

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.

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.”

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!

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...

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...

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 👏👏👏

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:

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...

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.

File under: Use 👏 every 👏 available 👏 tool 👏

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.

Thursday, December 4th, Free DC leaders & community members will speak to DC Council about the harms of the federal occupation on public safety. At 9 AM, we will need you to show up, pack the Council, & support the speakers who are advocating for DC’s rights & safety. Wear your Free DC gear!

DC is not safer with more militarized policing. DC is not safer with MPD‘s consistent involvement with the military and federal agencies. We have seen during this occupation, that MPD’s complicity has been to the detriment of our community members! SHAME! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Today, community members and organizers came together in Columbia Heights! The message: WE AINT BUYING IT! The goal: rerouting our dollars to small and local businesses!

This Black Friday weekend we want to make sure our money is going to companies that side with DC communities, not Trump’s agenda. Here are two ways you can help make that happen tomorrow (1/3)

If you're scrolling right now, we don't need to tell you what day it is. Fight back against the e-commerce giants with @freedcproject.bsky.social's shopping guide, which features dozens of local businesses that have pledged to support D.C.'s autonomy.

There is literally no reason for the military to be in D.C.

The WV National guard troops could have spent Thanksgiving with their families. Downtown DC could be free of military weapons. Please, especially if you live in one of the seven states whose troops continue to occupy our city, urge the governors to send them home.

Trump doesn't care that his deployment of the National Guard is dangerous — but the governors deploying these Guard members should. We're calling on Governors Ivey, Kemp, Landry, Reeves, DeWine, Lee, and Morrisey to recall their Guard members from DC. Email all seven: bit.ly/seven-governors

National Guard members do not want to be used as political props. They want to be home with their families. The only person who wants them here is Trump. Police killed three people in DC last week and now this. When will this administration stop escalating and putting people in harm's way?

Violence is never the answer and must be swiftly condemned by all. The National Guard are volunteers. They sign up to leave their jobs and families at a moment’s notice to serve their country. This is a heartbreaking day for DC and our nation. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.

We have said consistently that the Guard should not be here. It is unsafe for both members of the Guard and communities. Our deepest condolences go to the two West Virginia families who will now spend this season mourning the loss of loved ones who died while deployed unnecessarily.

We’re rejecting complicit companies like Amazon, Whole Foods, Target, and Home Depot and redirecting our support and dollars to our DC small businesses instead! Check out our local holiday guide here: www.instagram.com/p/DRfXFVjgZO...

As Amazon starts its busiest sales season, organizers with @freedcproject.bsky.social are kicking off protests around the country aimed at exposing the company’s ties to ICE. AWS stores and processes vast quantities of data that ICE uses to track and target people.

We disagree with the way Mayor Bowser is handling the Trump administration and its attacks on our communities, but we recognize that two decades in public service is a noble commitment to any community. This will be a big change for DC next year.

Too many tenants in the District are enduring dangerous housing violations while court proceedings drag on and negligent landlords fail to make basic repairs.   Proud to co-introduce the STRONG Homes Act led by OAG and CM White, creating stronger tools to protect tenants across #Ward4 and DC.

DC residents have all the obligations of citizenship, including serving in every American war. They deserve equal representation in all aspects. I introduced my bill to add the DC seal in stained glass among seals of the states in the Library of Congress.

“When shootings involving MPD officers happen, there are laws and regulations requiring that specific information be shared. The two recent shootings, though, show the significant gap in transparency that exists when federal agents pull the trigger.” 51st.news/federal-poli...

What's the matter guys, don't like it when people recognize you for your work?

Spirit: 0 Gotham: 0 A DC that’s free: 💯

He look it’s Megan Rapinoe in a @freedcproject.bsky.social flag at the NWSL championship!

If you've been to a @washingtonspirit game this season you've heard the #FreeDC chant at the 51st minute — because the people of DC refuse to be silent in our demand for full rights, dignity, and full power from this federal administration. DC, RISE UP! GO SPIRIT, WE LOVE YOU DC!

HAPPENING NOW: DC community members are outside MPD headquarters to demand independent investigations of and release of all officer names and body cam footage in the three deaths in police custody this week, as well as the termination of Trump’s “DC Safe and Beautiful” Task Force.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to end its monthslong deployment of National Guard troops to help police the nation’s capital.