ShutdownDC
AbbreviationSDDC
Formation2019 (2019)
HeadquartersWashington, DC
OriginsClimate movement
Websitehttps://www.shutdowndc.org/

ShutdownDC is an activist organization in the Washington metropolitan area. ShutdownDC formed originally in 2019 as a coalition of climate activists concerned with the climate crisis, aiming to snarl traffic in the city to demand action on the Green New Deal, and other climate-related issues.[1] Since then, ShutdownDC has expanded their scope to advocacy via non-violent direct action on issues as diverse as abortion rights, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's treatment of the Global South, and abolishing the filibuster.[2][3][4]

Protestors and props during ShutdownDC's first blockade in September 2019

History and activities

2019

ShutdownDC formed in 2019 as a coalition of climate activists with the goal of disrupting traffic across Washington, D.C. to demand solutions to the climate crisis. They were supported by groups such as Code Pink, the DC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Rising Tide North America, the DMV hub of the Black Lives Matter Global Network, the DC hub of the Sunrise Movement, the DC chapter of Extinction Rebellion, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Beyond Extreme Energy, Werk For Peace, the DC chapter of 350.org, Backbone Campaign, the Friends Meeting in Washington Social Concerns Committee, and the Labor Network for Sustainability.[1][5] The coalition set up blockades at 22 intersections which slowed traffic across the city. During the demonstration, 32 were participants arrested.[6]

2020

Despite its initial formation as a temporary organizing structure, ShutdownDC continued to participate in climate protests as an affinity group in the months following its initial action, maturing into an organization of its own.[7]

As the COVID-19 pandemic struck, its focus began to broaden, and the organization undertook a week of action around International Workers' Day 2020, aiming to highlight how the pandemic had exacerbated inequality.[8] This included a bike protest in support of essential workers, the painting of a large street mural outside the DC home of Jeff Bezos in support of Amazon workers, and a protest on bike and car in support of striking workers, among other causes.[8][9][10]

ShutdownDC played a role in the George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C., including organizing a protest in Lafayette Square, a large protest at the home of then Acting United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf in Alexandria, Virginia relating to his role in 2020 deployment of federal forces in the United States, and protests during then President Donald Trump's speech to the 2020 Republican National Convention.[11][12][13]

Protestors with ShutDownDC blockade a street behind the Supreme Court of the United States in June 2022
Protestors with ShutdownDC blockade an intersection near the US Capitol in December 2021

In the run-up to the 2020 United States presidential election, ShutdownDC began to organize around democracy issues, including large protests outside the home of US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy who faced allegations of slowing postal service and voter suppression.[14] ShutdownDC began to plan actions and meet relating to the possibility of attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election should Joe Biden win and Donald Trump deny the outcome.[15] ShutdownDC planned a week of action starting on election day to "defend democracy" via direct action, including a large event with live performers on election night in Black Lives Matter Plaza and escalating actions should Donald Trump indeed deny the results of the election. The group stated they believed that “Trump will not leave office without mass mobilization and direct action.”[16][17][18][19] ShutdownDC lead efforts to pressure hotels to enforce COVID-19 restrictions on those coming to the city to protest against Joe Biden's victory, and for the revocation of the liquor license for Harry's Bar, which had been fined for COVID-19 restriction violations relating to crowds of maskless supporters of Donald Trump in the venue after election-related protests.[20][21] Amidst this, the group continued to take action relating to inequality and the COVID-19 pandemic, including by dropping body bags in front of the homes of prominent Republican Senators to demand COVID-19 relief legislation.[22] As efforts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election accelerated, ShutdownDC hosted a vigil outside of the Vienna, Virginia home of Missouri Senator Josh Hawley. Protestors sang songs, told stories, and delivered a copy of the Constitution of the United States to his doorstep. Hawley called ShutdownDC "antifa scumbags" in a Twitter thread about the protest, claiming protests were violent, countering the descriptions of local police who described the protestors as peaceful.[23][24][25]

2021

in the days around the inauguration of Joe Biden in January 2021, ShutdownDC ran a successful pressure campaign to cancel all Airbnb bookings in DC, fearing right-wing violence in the wake of 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; 23 people were arrested by the Montgomery County Police Department.[27]

In September 2021, when the Supreme Court of the United States declined to block a law restricting abortion in Texas, ShutdownDC led a protest for abortion rights in front of the Chevy Chase, Maryland home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a form of protest which soon became a regular affair for conservative Justices.[28]

Protestors with ShutdownDC's #ForPeopleForPlanet protest the IMF and World Bank's role in the climate crisis, among other concerns, in October 2022

In October 2021, ShutdownDC led a 25-hour-long protest outside Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell's home to press for abolishing the filibuster.[2]

In December 2021, ShutdownDC helped organize a coalition of organizations to engage in a large blockade of traffic in Washington, D.C. centered around supporting the Build Back Better Act, which included significant climate action, as well as other progressive legislative priorities.[29] Traffic was snarled around the United States Capitol, and the United States Capitol Police arrested 38.[29] There were about 150 participants.[30]

2022

Shortly before the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attack, the group hung a banner demanding Congress "expel all fascists".[31]

In January 2022, ShutdownDC organized a smaller-scale blockade around the White House.[32]

ShutdownDC has been an active participant in the 2022 abortion protests. In the wake of the leaked potential decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization in June 2022, ShutdownDC organized large-scale street blockades in the areas around the Supreme Court of the United States.[3] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called the peaceful blockades an insurrection on Fox & Friends.[33] In July 2022, Protestors with ShutdownDC went on to attempt to confront Brett Kavanaugh at a DC location of Morton's The Steakhouse, where he was dining, for his role in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, forcing Kavanaugh to leave via a backdoor.[34] The protest was defended by political figures such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who called it an exercise in "free speech", and US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who 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".[35] The group later offered DC-area service workers up to $250 for sightings of Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and John Roberts in a viral tweet.[36]

In October 2022, ShutdownDC organized a coalition of organizations for a week of actions, including street marches and a bike blockade, surrounding the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank, under the banner "For People, For Planet: Decarbonize & Decolonize".[37] 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.[38]

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, Arlington, Virginia, claiming the clinic "lies to patients, endangers pregnant people, and is part of a national anti-abortion network".[39][40]

2023

In March 2023, protesters from ShutdownDC and others crashed a Christian-themed story hour held by Brave Books at the DC Public Library, though they failed to prevent it entirely.[41]

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.[42][43]

Criticism

ShutdownDC has been critiqued by many members of the Republican Party, as well as by venues where ShutdownDC protests have taken place, both due to ideological opposition to ShutdownDC and on the basis of the tactics ShutdownDC organizes with. Senator Josh Hawley referred to the group as "antifa scumbags" in a tweet in the wake of a protest outside of his Virginia home, which brought media attention to the group.[44] In the run-up to ShutdownDC's street blockades surrounding the U.S. Supreme Court, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accused ShutdownDC of plotting an insurrection on Fox & Friends.[33] In the wake of their disruption of Justice Brett Kavanaugh's dinner at Morton's The Steakhouse, the restaurant released a statement slamming the group, stating that "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 and void of decency."[45] An editorial writer for Deseret News, the mouthpiece of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, critiqued the group as promoting "mob rule" with its protests of Supreme Court Justices.[46] Following disruptions of an annual banquet for the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center, a crisis pregnancy center, Josh Hawley again commented on Twitter in reference to ShutdownDC, "Hahahah. These people are such losers." The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, called the protest on Twitter "gross".[47]

References

  1. 1 2 Natanson, Hannah (September 23, 2019). "'Shut Down D.C.': What you need to know about the protests that are creating gridlock in Washington". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Protesters demonstrate outside Mitch McConnell's home in Washington DC". WDRB. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  3. 1 2 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. ↑ "The New Way to Protest in DC: Go to a Politico's Home. Bring a Crowd. Party. - Washingtonian". 2021-05-10. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  8. 1 2 "ShutDownDC Had a Bike Protest and a Go-Go Band to Support Essential Workers - Washingtonian". 2020-04-28. 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. ↑ Washington, Josh Glancy. "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. ↑ ALDRIDGE, BAILEY (December 2, 2020). "Body bags left outside GOP senators' homes by groups protesting lack of COVID relief". McClatchyDC. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ "Police and video contradict senator's claim of Antifa attack on his home". Fact Check. 2021-01-06. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  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. 1 2 "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. ↑ "January 6 Capitol insurrection: solemn events mark deadly attack one year later". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  32. ↑ "ShutDownDC Demonstrators Block Downtown DC Traffic". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  33. 1 2 Gancarski, A. G. (2022-06-13). "Gov. DeSantis warns of SCOTUS 'insurrection' amid pro-choice protests". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  34. ↑ "Brett Kavanaugh Had to Leave Out the Back of a D.C. Morton's Steakhouse After Protestors Showed Up". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  35. ↑ Saric, Ivana (2022-07-10). "Buttigieg: Kavanaugh protesters were exercising First Amendment rights". Axios. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  36. ↑ Axios (2022-07-10). "Group offers up to $250 for SCOTUS justices sightings after Kavanaugh protest". Axios. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  37. ↑ "'Cancel the Debt': Climate Protests Disrupt World Bank Summit". Common Dreams. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  38. ↑ Singh, Kanishka (2022-10-13). "Protesters outside IMF, World Bank meeting venues demand urgent climate action". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ "Far-Left Protesters Disrupt Pro-Life Banquet for DC Pregnancy Center". The Daily Signal. 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  41. ↑ "Leftist Protesters Fail to Disrupt Christian Library Story Hour in DC". The Daily Signal. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  42. ↑ "'Time for a Fresh Start': Bike Protest Urges World Bank to Stop Funding Fossil Fuels". www.commondreams.org. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  43. ↑ Musoke, Ronald (2023-04-18). "'Stop funding Oil and gas projects'". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  44. ↑ 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.
  45. ↑ 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.
  46. ↑ "Perspective: The return of the mob and what it means for America". Deseret News. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  47. ↑ 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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