Soldiers at the ballot dropbox - Key Ways to Take Action
DC’s ballot dropboxes have just opened and yesterday residents witnessed National Guard soldiers at one of DC’s voting locations.
The incident, which is going viral online, is a clear reminder that we need the National Guard out of DC now and that we all need to work actively this fall to make sure voting is free, fair, and that results are enforced. There are a number of key ways you can help do that in the coming weeks.
October 14 AM: Rally at the court
On Wednesday, the DC Attorney General’s lawsuit against the Trump administration suing to get the National Guard out of DC heads back to federal court. Rally with us outside the court on Wednesday from 8:30-9:30 AM.
October 14 PM: Rally at Bard High School
National Guard soldiers have been patrolling with federal law enforcement outside Bard Early College High School in Ward 8 and on Wednesday afternoon, the Bard PTO together with education leaders from across DC will hold a press conference to demand the Guard stay away from DC’s students and schools. Rally with school communities on Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 PM.
October 17: Vote early!
Next Saturday, October 17, is a nationwide Day of Early Voting. Free DC’s Ward Teams will be at ballot dropboxes across DC that day to make it clear these spaces belong to DC communities and federal forces are not welcome. Find a Ward Team event near you and join us to vote early that day.
October 26: DC Election Protection coalition training
Want to learn what to do if you encounter National Guard or law enforcement at the polls? Join the DC Election Protection Coalition for a training on October 26 and 29 about how you can help protect the vote between now and November.
November 5: Pack the DC Council hearing
On November 5 DC Council will hear public testimony about three bills to hold federal forces more accountable in DC — including keeping federal agents away from sensitive community places like schools, churches, and more. Join us on November 5 to pack the hearing.
You don’t need to do all of these. Commit to doing just one is a great way to be part of the movement we’ll need to protect our elections this fall. Even better is if you commit to a single action and get a friend to join you.
DC deserves better than armed soldiers and federal police at our schools or our voting locations. The only way we’ll make that happen is if we work together. Join us for one or more event in the coming weeks to put that vision into action.
