Ready to take action? Here’s how you can show up for justice in DC and beyond.
A WORD FROM IRIS
As the federal government continues to stalk our streets and disturb our communities, I am somehow comforted by the fact that we knew this was coming. We have been preparing. All the racial justice trainings, real-world lessons, and coalition building were for such a time as this. This is where theory meets praxis. In the May 2025 edition of this newsletter, I said that there are plenty of ways to push the movement forward. I encourage you to look around and think of how you can apply what you’ve learned from your community, from Social Justice Synergy, from your ancestors, and from the long legacy of folks who have pushed this country toward liberation and justice.
For my part, I’ve been working with FREE DC, Black Swan Academy, Critical Exposure, TRIGGER Project, DC Action, and DC Girls Coalition via my role with Anti Racist DC to support their Youth Safety Strategy community workshops and teach-ins. I’ll also be co-facilitating their upcoming political education and activism trainings, “Meeting the Moment: An Anti Racist Approach to Activism.” The first will be virtual and the second will be in person; details are at the end if you want to attend.
The time to put your ideals into practice is now. If you’re looking for an entrypoint, here are some organizations and actions to join or support.
FIND YOUR LANE
I recommend the following folks in the DMV and beyond who are working on the front lines in broad ways. You can support by physically showing up to actions, meetings, and trainings; donating; amplifying the information they share; and/or volunteering in the ways they ask.
Mothers Outreach Network (IG | Volunteer Sign-Up) – Promoting racial and gender justice in DC, providing legal services, and advocating for Black family supports.
Harriet’s Wildest Dreams (IG | TikTok | Join | Take Action) – Black-led community defense, policy advocacy, and direct action activism to end state-sanctioned violence in the DMV
Restorative Arlington – Based in Arlington, VA and offering community-based restorative justice support and facilitation to the whole DMV.
Everyday Canvassing – Helping folks in Montgomery County, MD become more informed and involved about local politics, connecting people and supporting their activism through storytelling; connecting folks to public services and resources
Jews United for Justice (IG | Direct Actions) – Organizing Jewish folks in advancing economic, racial, and social justice in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
If you want to show up for undocumented folks, immigrants, and refugees…
Trabajadores Unidos de Washington DC (IG | Volunteer Sign-Up) – Organizing and advocacy for the rights of day laborers, immigrants, migrants, and other low-income workers in the DC area.
Ayuda DC (IG | Volunteer Sign-Up) – Legal, social, and language services to low-income immigrant community members navigating the immigration and justice systems.
Nigerian Center DC (IG | FB | Volunteer Sign-Up) – Wraparound services for immigrants from majority-Black countries. Services include policy advocacy, cultural programs, legal aid, entrepreneurship and financial resources, and homeownership support.
CARECEN (IG | FB | Volunteer Sign-up) – Direct legal aid, social, and educational services for the DMV Latino community, plus grassroots empowerment, civic engagement, and human rights and immigration policy advocacy.
If you want to show up for homeless and/or low-income folks…
Empower DC (The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless (X.com | Volunteer Inquiry) – Legal services for people experiencing homelessness, and policy advocacy to fight housing insecurity, poverty, and homelessness in DC.
DC Hunger Solutions (IG | Take Action) – Working to end hunger in DC via policy advocacy, connecting folks to services and programs, and providing public education.
Tzedek DC (Volunteer Sign-Up) – Direct legal services (in Spanish and English, at no cost) to low-income DC residents with debt-related and consumer-related legal issues.
Bread for the City (Volunteer Sign-Up) – Policy advocacy and wraparound services for low-income, homeless, and/or food-insecure DC residents.
If you want to show up for Black and brown youth…
The Black Swan Academy (Volunteer Sign-Up) – Civic leadership training for Black youth in DC, helping them become political advocates and activists in their communities.
Critical Exposure (Donate) – Youth organizing and storytelling through photography to make DC schools and communities safer and better resourced.
TRIGGER Project (IG | FB | Take Action) – True Reasons I Grabbed the Gun Evolved from Risks Project works to prevent gun violence and other forms of violence impacting Black and brown youth in DC by embracing both survivors and perpetrators, and building coalition.
DC Action (IG | FB | Take Action) – Anti racist advocacy, direct action, working groups, and programming to ensure positive holistic outcomes and remove barriers to success for DC children, youth, and families.
DC Girls Coalition (IG | FB | Join) – A coalition of organizations, initiatives, and individuals amplifying the leadership and reducing the criminalization and adultification of cis and trans young women, girls, and gender-non-conforming femmes in DC.
If you want to show up for LGBTQIA+ folks…
DC LGBTQ+ Community Center (IG | FB | Take Action) – Advocacy, services, programs, social events and more to empower and strengthen community among LGBTQ+ adults in DC.
SMYAL (IG | Volunteer Sign-Up) – Wraparound services and programs for LGBTQ+ young people ages 6–24 in the DMV area, including support groups, social events, scholarships, wellness resources, civic leadership training and more.
If you want to show up for Statehood…
FREE DC (IG | FB | Take Action) – Direct action, campaigns, trainings, and policy advocacy to protect Home Rule and preserve DC’s autonomy and local vision for its communities.
Defend DC (IG | Take Action) – A coalition of campaigns and organizations (anchored by DC Jobs with Justice) offering trainings, direct action, grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy to keep DC communities safe from federal and corporate overreach.
ACLU DC (IG | Tik Tok | FB | Take Action) – Protecting the free speech, civil rights, and civil liberties of DC residents via statehood campaigns, coalition building, trainings, direct action, policy advocacy and more.
