Washington, D.C
Thousands to gather in Washington DC to march ahead of Trump inauguration – The Times of India
The Women’s March is returning to Washington, DC on Saturday, eight years after its historic first march. The rally, now rebranded as the People’s March, aims to broaden its support and reflect on the state of progressive organising ahead President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration as President for second time on January 20.
In 2017, the Women’s March attracted over 500,000 marchers in Washington and millions more in cities across the country, marking one of the largest single-day demonstrations in US history.
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The movement was fueled by outrage over Trump’s 2016 presidential win.
This year’s march is expected to be significantly smaller, with attendance estimated at one-tenth of the inaugural rally. The comparative quiet reflects a sense of exhaustion and disappointment among progressive voters following Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss, according to report from Associated Press.
Tamika Middleton, managing director at the Women’s March, acknowledged the challenges of recapturing the energy of the first march, stating, “The reality is that it’s just hard to capture lightning in a bottle. It was a really particular moment. In 2017, we had not seen a Trump presidency and the kind of vitriol that that represented.”
The movement has undergone an overhaul to address accusations of a lack of diversity, resulting in this year’s rebrand as the People’s March. The demonstration will promote themes related to feminism, racial justice, anti-militarization, and other issues, concluding with discussions hosted by various social justice organizations.
Jo Reger, a sociology professor at Oakland University, noted that the People’s March is unusual in the “vast array of issues brought together under one umbrella.” While conflicting visions are inevitable in a broad-based social justice movement, Reger suggested that discord can bring change and new perspectives, particularly from underrepresented voices.
Middleton emphasized that the goal of Saturday’s event is not to recreate the massive demonstration of 2017 but to focus attention on a broader set of issues and encourage participants to continue fighting in their communities long-term.
Washington, D.C
DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium
The Commanders are set to build a new stadium in D.C., and the debate over how fans will get to and from games is happening right now. On Wednesday, city leaders will join Metro and the Washington Commanders to talk stadium transit.
Washington, D.C
D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report
TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.
You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.
Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”
Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.
“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.
Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.
While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.
My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”
According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.
Washington, D.C
National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims
The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.
The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.
Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.
Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.
After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.
Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.
Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.
“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”
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