The Fourth of July commemorates a day in 1776 when some—not all—Americans declared their independence from an oppressive government. (Those same men who claimed “all men are equal” then continued to enslave Black people for the next 89 years.) If the performative patriotism that celebrates this history with a hot dog doesn’t feel right, here’s where you can find Fourth of July protests around DC this weekend.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The George Floyd Memorial March On Washington will start at 9:30 AM with a route that will lead to the Washington Monument.
LeDroit Park
Head to the Park at LeDroit for Freedom Fighters’ “Juliberation: No Justice, No Fourth” at 1:30 PM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHYsueJ9AT/?igshid=170je69glpxrr
Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park
A protest calling to defund MPD starts at Malcolm X Park at 3 PM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCGxfq0h3CI/?igshid=xo29zwi7fdtm
There will be another march at Malcolm X Park later in the day as well, starting at 6:30 PM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCE-YBdD1Ip/?igshid=183im01vrtcu6
McPherson Square to the White House
Veterans will be marching to the President’s “Salute to America” rally at 4 PM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHvVJBlfcC/?igshid=1lgffithq8o12
The Supreme Court
There will be a peaceful sit-in for Black women outside of the Supreme Court starting at 10 AM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_36nuJGfS/?igshid=1oizdmj4asa2k
Union Station to Black Lives Matter Plaza
Gather to march for Breonna Taylor at 2 PM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBYrBDWnj4h/?igshid=1j3mdbbp03cq3
The U.S. Capitol
Wear all-black and join the Black Out March at noon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0-8L8B9RQ/
Dupont Circle
Head to a white accomplice orientation at 6 PM before you march at 7 PM with the They/Them Collective.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHhgspBZid/?igshid=1dmw92oz1ot1b
All around town
@dcteensaction graciously compiled a schedule of many marches, rallies, and protests for Fourth of July (below), too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHtvGYp1sT/?igshid=10pepiyj198ai
Rosa is a senior editor at Bitch Magazine. She’s written for Washingtonian and Smithsonian magazine.
