A Bike Ride and a Protest
These days, Washington DC is a scene of contrasting developments. Federal troops can be observed lingering in many city neighborhoods and around landmarks. After initially being critical of President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and ICE agents within the capital —Muriel Bowser, the Democratic Mayor in her third term, has been criticized for taking a compromise position with the Trump Administration — welcoming a surge of other federal law enforcement, such as FBI agents and US Park Police and ordering local authorities to cooperate with the federal troops in enforcing the law. DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued the Trump administration, accusing the president of violating the Constitution and federal law by sending thousands of National Guard troops into the city without consent from local leaders.
The lawsuit claims the troops are patrolling neighborhoods, conducting searches and making arrests, despite federal laws that generally bar the military from acting as local police. After the news spread that the House leaders do not plan to hold a vote to extend Trump’s temporary takeover of the DC police, the Mayor claimed credit for it.
Federal troops were observed lingering at major junctions, sometimes helping with mundane tasks like collecting trash, but officers were also conducting document checks at bridges and major transit points and interrogating citizens. Several local listservs reported a child being asked about her citizenship and released upon parents presenting a passport. Fear of deportations persist, and neighborhoods typically brimming with contractors appear more deserted than usual.
Earlier in September, the annual DC Bike Ride took place. Notable for its closure of DC’s downtown for vehicle traffic, the event should also be commended for its wonderful diversity. The city’s neighborhoods are fairly segregated, and depending on the neighborhood, you might be mistaken about the city being predominantly white or predominantly black, which is hardly noticeable during the DC bike ride.
On the same day, thousands of people marched from Meridian Hill Park to Freedom Plaza to protest President Trump’s takeover of DC law enforcement, carrying signs that read “End the Federal Occupation” and “Protect DC Home Rule,” among many others.
