WASHINGTON, D.C. — A few hundred demonstrators filled U and 14th Streets NW on Thursday, demanding an end to federal intervention in the District’s affairs. Residents from all four quadrants of the city, along with supporters from Maryland and Virginia, joined the protest.
A Unified Message
Chants of “Free D.C.!” echoed through the streets, while signs reading “Hands off D.C.!” highlighted frustration with the federal government’s increasing role in local governance.
In a striking moment, the image of a protester hurling a submarine sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent—captured in a viral video—was projected onto a nearby building. The projection quickly became a tongue-in-cheek symbol of D.C.’s resistance.
Voices of Protest
Activists and city leaders stressed that the fight extends beyond the District. Leslie Redmond of Don’t Complain Activate addressed the crowd:
“It’s time for us to reintroduce ourselves to President Trump, to remind him that D.C. stands united, that D.C. is willing to fight. We’re holding the line not just for our residents, but for the entire nation.”
D.C. Council member Robert White urged protesters to see the struggle as part of a larger national battle.
“Ten years from now, this country will either look like the place Donald Trump and his minions envisioned, or it will be the bright place we believe our children deserve — the place our ancestors fought for.”
Federalization Sparks Outrage
The protest comes amid growing anger over President Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops and federal officers in the District. The move, described by the administration as a response to crime and unrest, has been criticized by local leaders as a direct assault on D.C.’s autonomy.
Some conservative commentators, including Judge Jeanine Pirro, have suggested that federal forces should withdraw if they are not actively making arrests. Meanwhile, Trump has praised the deployment, calling it an example of “incredible results.”
Visible Tensions Across the City
While demonstrators rallied on U Street, a visible military presence loomed in other parts of the city. In the Navy Yard area, Nationals fans leaving a baseball game walked past Humvees and National Guard troops, a stark reminder of the federal control many residents oppose.
Back on U Street, the Metropolitan Police prepared to enforce a youth curfew, adding another layer of tension to a city already grappling with questions of authority and self-determination.
The Bigger Fight
For protesters, the rally was not just about opposing one policy—it was about the longstanding push for D.C. statehood and local control. Many argued that without statehood, the District will remain vulnerable to unilateral federal decisions that override the will of its residents.
As chants of “Free D.C.” continued into the night, demonstrators vowed to keep pushing until their voices are heard in Washington and beyond.
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