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ShutDownDC

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ShutDownDC is an activist organization in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It was formed in 2019 as a coalition of activists concerned with the climate crisis; the group has since staged actions to create traffic congestion in Washington as a means of demanding the Green New Deal and other climate-related issues.[1]

ShutDownDC
AbbreviationSDDC
Formation2019; 6 years ago (2019)
HeadquartersWashington, D.C., U.S.
OriginsClimate movement
Websitehttps://www.shutdowndc.org/

Since its founding, ShutDownDC has additionally expanded its scope to include advocacy via non-violent direct action on issues such as abortion rights, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank's treatment of the Global South, the Build Back Better Plan, and the abolition of the filibuster in the United States Senate, among other concerns.[2][3][4]

History and activities

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ShutDownDC has been supported by groups such as Code Pink, Black Lives Matter Global Network, and the Sunrise Movement. Other supporters include the D.C. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Rising Tide North America, the D.C. chapter of Extinction Rebellion, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Beyond Extreme Energy, WERK for Peace, the D.C. chapter of 350.org, the Backbone Campaign, the Friends Meeting in Washington Social Concerns Committee, and the Labor Network for Sustainability, among others.[1][5]

2019

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Protestors and props during ShutDownDC's first blockade on Capitol Hill in September 2019

On September 23, 2019, the coalition set up blockades at 22 intersections in Washington, D.C., slowing traffic across the city. During the demonstration, 32 participants were arrested.[6]

Despite its formation as a temporary organizing structure, ShutDownDC continued to participate in climate protests as an affinity group thereafter, eventually growing into a full-fledged organization.[7]

2020

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, ShutDownDC broadened its focus and engaged in a week of action around International Workers' Day 2020, aiming to highlight how the pandemic had exacerbated inequality.[8] Actions taken by the group included a bike protest in support of essential workers, the painting of a large street mural in support of Amazon employees outside of Jeff Bezos' D.C. house, and a protest in solidarity with labor strikes.[8][9][10]

ShutDownDC additionally played a role in the George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C. by organizing protests at Lafayette Square; at the Alexandria, Virginia home of then-acting United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf; and at President Donald Trump's speech to the 2020 Republican National Convention.[11][12][13]

Later, during the 2020 United States presidential election, ShutDownDC organized a protest outside the home of US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy who had been facing allegations of slowing the postal service to suppress voters.[14] ShutDownDC also planned a week of action to "defend democracy" in the event that President Donald Trump lost the election to Joe Biden but refused to transfer power, asserting that "Trump will not leave office without mass mobilization and direct action."[15] Such hypothetical plans included a large event with live performers on election night at the Black Lives Matter Plaza.[16][17][18][19]

After the 2020 general election, ShutDownDC led efforts to pressure hotels to enforce COVID-19 restrictions on those coming to the city for protests against Biden's victory. The group also advocated for the city to revoke Harry's Bar's liquor license; the bar had been fined for violating COVID-19 restrictions by allowing crowds of people, mostly maskless Trump supporters, after election-related protests.[20][21]

As efforts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election intensified, ShutDownDC hosted a vigil outside of the Vienna, Virginia house of Missouri Senator Josh Hawley where protestors sang songs and delivered a copy of the Constitution to his doorstep. Hawley claimed that the protests were violent despite local police describing the protests as peaceful.[22][23][24] ShutDownDC also dropped body bags in front of the homes of other Republican senators to demand COVID-19 relief legislation.[25]

2021

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Protestors with ShutDownDC blockade an intersection near the United States Capitol in December 2021

In January 2021, ShutDownDC ran a successful pressure campaign to cancel all Airbnb bookings in Washington, D.C., alleging an uptick of right-wing violence after the January 6 United States Capitol attack.[26] In August 2021, ShutDownDC led a protest opposing the Line 3 pipeline at the home of White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain. There, 23 people were arrested by the Montgomery County Police Department.[27]

In September 2021, when the Supreme Court declined to block a law restricting abortion in Texas, ShutDownDC led a protest for reproductive rights in front of the Chevy Chase, Maryland home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.[28] One month later, in October, ShutDownDC led a 25-hour-long protest outside Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell's house to demand that the Senate filibuster be abolished.[2]

In December 2021, ShutDownDC helped organize a coalition of organizations to engage in a large blockade of traffic in Washington, D.C. in support of the Build Back Better Act which included climate-related measures and other policies in line with ShutDownDC's priorities.[29] Approximately 150 people participated to cause traffic delays around the United States Capitol; the United States Capitol Police subsequently arrested 38 people.[29][30]

2022

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Protestors with ShutDownDC blockade a street behind the Supreme Court of the United States in June 2022
 
Protestors with ShutDownDC's #ForPeopleForPlanet protest the IMF and World Bank's role in the climate crisis and other concerns, in October 2022

In January 2022, ShutDownDC organized a small-scale blockade around the White House, again in support of the Build Back Better Act among other demands for the Biden administration.[31]

In June 2022, in the wake of the leaked draft Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, ShutDownDC organized large-scale street blockades in the areas around the Supreme Court.[3] One month later, protesters attempted to confront Kavanaugh at a Washington, D.C. location of Morton's The Steakhouse for his role in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, forcing Kavanaugh to leave the restaurant through a back door.[32]

The July protest of Kavanaugh was defended by political figures such as Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg who called it an exercise in "free speech"; U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, "Poor guy. He left before his soufflé because he decided half the country should risk death if they have an ectopic pregnancy within the wrong state lines. It’s all very unfair to him."[33] Later, in a viral tweet, ShutDownDC offered service workers in the D.C. area up to $250 for sightings of Supreme Court justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and John Roberts.[34]

In October 2022, ShutDownDC organized a coalition of organizations for a week of actions surrounding the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank. The coalition used the slogan "For People, For Planet: Decarbonize & Decolonize."[35] Demands included an end to fossil fuel investment by the institutions, as well as the canceling of debts held by countries in the Global South.[36]

In December 2022, ShutDownDC activists disrupted a banquet held to benefit the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center, a crisis pregnancy center, at a Marriott in Crystal City, Virginia. ShutDownDC claimed that the clinic "lies to patients, endangers pregnant people, and is part of a national anti-abortion network."[37]

2023

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In April 2023, ShutDownDC held a bike protest to block traffic near the World Bank headquarters, calling for the bank's incoming president Ajay Banga to stop funding fossil fuels and accelerate clean energy instead.[38][39]

Criticism

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ShutdownDC has been criticized by many members of the Republican Party, as well as by venues where ShutDownDC protests have taken place. Criticism of the organization has focused on ideological disagreements and on the tactics used by ShutDownDC.

In the run-up to ShutDownDC's street blockades in protest of the Supreme Court, Florida governor Ron DeSantis accused ShutDownDC of plotting an insurrection.[40] After their disruption of Kavanaugh's dinner at Morton's The Steakhouse, the restaurant released a statement criticizing the group, stating, "Politics, regardless of your side or views, should not trample the freedom at play of the right to congregate and eat dinner," and that "Disturbing the dinner of all of our customers was an act of selfishness."[41] An editorial writer for Deseret News, the mouthpiece of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, criticized the group for promoting "mob rule" with its protests of Supreme Court justices.[42]

During ShutDownDC's protest outside of his house in 2020, Hawley referred to the group as "antifa scumbags."[43] Later, following the group's disruptions of an annual banquet for the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center in 2022, Hawley remarked, "These people are such losers." The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, called the same protest "gross" on Twitter.[44]

References

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  1. ^ a b Natanson, Hannah (September 23, 2019). "'Shut Down D.C.': What you need to know about the protests that are creating gridlock in Washington". Washington Post. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Protesters demonstrate outside Mitch McConnell's home in Washington DC". WDRB. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  3. ^ a b Sabes, Adam (2022-06-11). "ShutDownDC group plans 'blockade' at Supreme Court with 'jail support' on hand". Fox News. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  4. ^ "Climate protests disrupt ongoing World Bank Summit in DC - Business News | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  5. ^ "Shut Down DC Press Release Sept 23". Extinction Rebellion US. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  6. ^ "32 arrested as 'climate rebels' shut down intersections across the District". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  7. ^ Recker, Jane (May 10, 2021). "The New Way to Protest in DC: Go to a Politico's Home. Bring a Crowd. Party". washingtonian.com. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  8. ^ a b Recker, Jane (April 28, 2020). "ShutDownDC Had a Bike Protest and a Go-Go Band to Support Essential Workers". washingtonian.com. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  9. ^ "Activists Paint Large Mural Outside Jeff Bezos's Kalorama Mansion, Protesting Working Conditions At Amazon". DCist. Archived from the original on 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  10. ^ "Despite the City Being Shut Down, People Still Protested for May Day - Washingtonian". 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  11. ^ "D.C. Officials Say 'Strong Likelihood' Of Fifth Night Of Demonstrations". DCist. Archived from the original on 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  12. ^ "ShutDownDC rallies in Alexandria at the home of acting secretary of Homeland Security". WTOP News. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  13. ^ "Some arrests outside White House in Black Lives Matter Plaza following Trump's RNC speech". wusa9.com. August 27, 2020. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  14. ^ "Protesters Gather Outside Of Postmaster General's D.C. Home As Threats To Mail-In Voting Loom". DCist. Archived from the original on 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  15. ^ Glancy, Josh. "Activists ready to take to streets if Trump won't go". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  16. ^ "There Will Be a Giant Jumbotron and Live Performers at Black Lives Matter Plaza on Election Night - Washingtonian". 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  17. ^ "Some downtown DC businesses board up ahead of Election Day". wusa9.com. November 1, 2020. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  18. ^ Yancey-Bragg, N'dea; Culver, Jordan; Woodyard, Chris. "Election protests across the US: National Guard activated in Portland; Trump supporters gather in Phoenix, Las Vegas". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  19. ^ DeVore, Chuck. "The Plans For Post-Election Violence To Seize Victory From The Ballot Box". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  20. ^ "Another MAGA Rally Planned For D.C., This Time With Fewer Expected". DCist. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  21. ^ "Here's Why You Keep Hearing About Harry's Bar". DCist. Archived from the original on 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  22. ^ "Sen. Josh Hawley says 'Antifa scumbags' terrorized his family's Virginia home. Police called the protesters 'peaceful.'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  23. ^ Spivak, Lexi. "Missouri Senator Hawley tweets "Antifa" attacked D.C. home; group calls it a "vigil for democracy"". www.kcrg.com. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  24. ^ "Police and video contradict senator's claim of Antifa attack on his home". Fact Check. 2021-01-06. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  25. ^ Aldridge, Bailey (December 2, 2020). "Body bags left outside GOP senators' homes by groups protesting lack of COVID relief". McClatchyDC. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  26. ^ Marshall, Aarian. "The Local Politics of Airbnb's Ban on DC Rentals". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  27. ^ "Two Dozen Climate Activists Were Arrested Outside the White House Chief of Staff's House Last Night - Washingtonian". 2021-08-24. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  28. ^ "Abortion-rights advocates march on Kavanaugh's Chevy Chase home". WTOP News. 2021-09-14. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  29. ^ a b "Activists march on Capitol Hill in support of Biden's 'Build Back Better'". WTOP News. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  30. ^ Cook, Gina. "Protesters Block Roads Around Capitol, Park Model Tank in Street". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  31. ^ "ShutDownDC Demonstrators Block Downtown DC Traffic". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  32. ^ "Brett Kavanaugh Had to Leave Out the Back of a D.C. Morton's Steakhouse After Protestors Showed Up". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  33. ^ Saric, Ivana (2022-07-10). "Buttigieg: Kavanaugh protesters were exercising First Amendment rights". Axios. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  34. ^ "Group offers up to $250 for SCOTUS justices sightings after Kavanaugh protest". Axios. 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  35. ^ "'Cancel the Debt': Climate Protests Disrupt World Bank Summit". Common Dreams. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  36. ^ Singh, Kanishka (2022-10-13). "Protesters outside IMF, World Bank meeting venues demand urgent climate action". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  37. ^ Kamman, Samantha; Reporter, Christian Post (2022-12-02). "Abortion activists disrupt pro-life pregnancy center's fundraising banquet: 'Blood on your hands'". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  38. ^ "'Time for a Fresh Start': Bike Protest Urges World Bank to Stop Funding Fossil Fuels". www.commondreams.org. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  39. ^ Musoke, Ronald (2023-04-18). "'Stop funding Oil and gas projects'". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  40. ^ Gancarski, A. G. (2022-06-13). "Gov. DeSantis warns of SCOTUS 'insurrection' amid pro-choice protests". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  41. ^ Catenacci, Thomas (2022-07-08). "ShutDownDC group offers bounties on Twitter for public sightings of conservative Supreme Court justices". Fox News. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  42. ^ "Perspective: The return of the mob and what it means for America". Deseret News. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  43. ^ Barrabi, Thomas (2021-01-05). "What is ShutDownDC? They say they oppose oppression, but Sen. Hawley dubs them 'Antifa scumbags'". Fox News. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  44. ^ Mondoro, Jean. "Pro-abortion protesters disrupt D.C. pregnancy center's annual banquet with vulgar rants". - Pregnancy Help News. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
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