An Anti-Trump “Hands Off” rallies occurred in all 50 states on Saturday. The “Hands Off” rally on the National Mall was centered at the Sylvan Theater but much of the Mall and the grounds of the Washington Monument was occupied by demonstrators. At 2:00pm the rally was scheduled to end and the crowd had begun to thin a little. Organizers had said it might go a bit longer.
There were streams of departing participants lining up to board the Metro at the Smithsonian stop and on Independence Avenue hundreds of people were headed for the Metro. But there was a sea of people still on the grounds of the Washington Monument and speakers were still addressing the crowd.
The crowd in front of the Sylvan Theater was so dense that organizers were stationed to direct people pressing toward the stage that it was too crowded and asked people who were approaching the stage to go back the way they came and climb the hill toward the Monument for a view of the theater.
From the base of the Washington Monument, one could see that the crowd extended toward the Capitol Building.
The crowd was multi-generational and the mood was friendly as people seemed reassured by the willingness of such a large number of protesters to turn out – a crowd much larger than anticipated by organizers. Originally, the number of estimated attendees was 20,000 – projected from the number of responses to organizers’ request that participants register. Later, organizers said the number of attendees was five times the expected number. It was apparent from the large numbers of people still on the Mall at 2:00pm that the expected number had been vastly exceeded.
Some wore costumes – including Abe Lincoln and the Statue of Liberty – or carried protest signs and banners and flew the United States flag as a distress signal.
There were individuals, couples, families, and groups of friends. There were a few people with dogs and a few couples with infants in baby carriages. There were small individual demonstrations everywhere throughout the crowd. Here’s some video of one of them.
MPD 1st District’s Community Advisory Committee met Tuesday night.
MPD’s First District. Blue dots locate the U.S. Capitol and RFK Stadium, respectively.
Crime Report: MPD Commander Colin Hall Reports on District 1
by Larry Janezich
Posted April 3, 2025
MPD 1st District Commander Colin Hall delivered the monthly crime report to the 1st District’s Community Advisory Committee Tuesday night:
He cited several high profile arrests MPD made in the past few weeks.
The 2023 homicide at the Cru Nightclub in 1300 block of H Street, NE, was closed with two arrests.
The ongoing investigation of the flagrant shooting last October at 1900 One-half Street, SW near the Watermark Buzzard Point apartments resulted in a recent arrest. The incident involved adults and juveniles and the expenditure of nearly 100 rounds. Hall said other suspects are being sought. A stray bullet from this incident wounded a pedestrian on Potomac Avenue, SE.
A second arrest was made in Eastern High School shooting of a student last November, closing out the case.
He also reported :
We’re seeing a 31% decrease in violent crime in the first quarter across the city and a 35% decrease in violent crime in the 1st District – that’s over the 15% drop ending 2024.
We continue pushing down robberies – there was a 38% decline in the first quarter in the 1st District, on top of a 47% drop ending 2024.
We had 20 burglaries in the 1st District so far this year – that’s plus 3 over last year. We follow up after every burglary with our outreach team to talk to businesses about cameras and alarms.
We shut down a crew linked to 21 burglaries throughout the city.
Theft from autos is down but increasing with the warm weather.
We are still seeing thefts of unattended vehicles. That was a problem in the cold but we’re still seeing it in warm weather. We urge using wheel locks and air tags.
We’re seeing tire thefts throughout the city and urge residents to be alert and call MPD to report suspicious activity.
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Here’s the scene at As You Are on Sunday afternoon, as attendees listen to Free DC organizer Alex Dodds.
Here’s a detail of Dodds rallying the crowd.
A Free DC volunteer makes signs for the campaign.
Sunday afternoon, Free DC held its first Ward 6 meeting on Barracks Row’s at As You Are. Event organizer Alex Dodds said that the purpose of the gathering to kick off the Home Rule effort was a and introduction and a “celebration with our Ward Six team.” More than a hundred supporters crowded into the second story of As You Are to express solidarity, interact, and to cheer approval as they listened to Dodds assert DC’s right to self-determination.
Asked for comment, Dodds said “Free DC is a new campaign to protect home rule and win dignity for people in communities of the District. Free DC is organizing in all eight wards, mobilizing people to protect ourselves from this administration and this congress.” The movement, she said, “started two years ago during the overturning of the Revised Criminal Code – Congress disapproved of a DC law for the first time in over 30 years, and no matter how you felt about that legislation, we felt very strongly that it was the right and responsibility of the people of the DC to decide the laws here. So a lot of the organizers who are involved now first started organizing two years ago when that happened. “
As for next steps, Dodds said, “For anyone interested in joining our effort you can come to one of our campaign organizing meetings – we provide an overview of our strategy and how to get involved. They happen every other week alternating in person and on line.” The next Ward Six meeting is Tuesday, March 11th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in North East Library.
Free DC is a special non-profit project of Community Change, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and Community Change Action, a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization. It’s co-founders are Alex Dodds, founder and lead strategist for the public relations and campaign firm Worthy Studio; Nee Nee Taylor, Executive Director of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams; Kelsey Adams, co- director of DC Vote; and Keya Chattergee, member, Evergreen Advisory and Governing Boards and Executive Director of US Climate Action Network.
Union Kitchen Distribution and Construction Manager Keith Chapman (left) and Union Kitchen Director for Union Markets, Matt Behringer.
Union Kitchen – Barracks Row – Opens Thursday
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 10, 2025
The long-awaited opening of Union Kitchen at 430 8th Street, SE, is scheduled for 7:30am on Thursday, February 13, according to Union Kitchen Store Director Matt Behringer who adds, “The first 100 customers will receive a free freshly baked cookie.”
The Union kitchen concept is modeled on the small NYC bodega – a combination café and grocery story. It will open daily from 7:30am until 9:00pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The store will also offer specialty grocery items including beer, wine, and sake as well as housewares. An application for a sidewalk café – which would open in the spring – is in the works.
The opening will also feature several vendors whose products – many of them local – are found on Union Kitchen shelves. They will be there to interact and to introduce their brands to the neighborhood.
Reflecting store’s strong neighborhood orientation, Behringer says the Order Here counter will feature a QR Code soliciting photos of pets and neighborhood life for posting in a gallery on Union Kitchen’s wall. Wiki says of the NYC bodegas, “they are renowned for their convivial culture and colorful character.”
ANC6B Committee on Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration met last Tuesday to consider a Restaurant License for Acqua al 2.
Acqua al 2 Update
by Larry Janezich
Posted February 8, 2025
Restaurateur Ari Gejdenson is returning to Eastern Market to reopen Acqua al 2 (AA2). The Italian menu will be the same, but the upstairs speakeasy – Jack Black’s – is gone. His aim is to convert the speakeasy space to a dining and dancing event space for which Gejdenson envisions hosts selling tickets (fund raising tickets?) – which would technically meet ABCA criteria for a cover charge. Gejdenson also wants to enclose the front sidewalk patio and extend dancing to that area with hours outside the same as those inside, 2am Sunday – Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday. He would also add carryout and delivery service.
Last Tuesday night, ANC6B’s alcohol licensing committee met to discuss the liquor license application with the request for the expanded operation. Much of the discussion involved concerns of across-the-alley neighbors who have had ongoing issues with the restaurants facing 7th Street on the block.
Gejedenson had generally been a good neighbor during the first incarnation of AA2. After it closed, it was succeeded by Harvest Tide, whom the neighbors found unresponsive to their concerns about trash, rodents, and delivery trucks blocking the alley and preventing access to their garages.
Responding to neighbor complaints, ANC6B negotiated a new and more stringent Settlement Agreement with Harvest Tide. (A Settlement Agreement is the mechanism agreed to between the ANC and the restaurant which governs its operations – trash, rodents, parking, hours, etc.) Neighbors say that Harvest Tide continued to be a bad neighbor despite the new Settlement Agreement. Gejdenson said that was largely because the city was lax in enforcing the Agreement.
The (ABCA Committee – per comment below) want Gejdenson to sign the same agreement they had with Harvest Tide. Gejdenson is resisting signing the more stringent agreement saying he is unwilling to “assume additional risk” by signing commitments which could allow neighbors to put on him things that should be the city’s responsibility.
After two contentious hours of discussion, the committee agreed to designate temporary committee chair Commissioner Anna Krebs and Commissioner Jerry Sroufe to meet with Gejdenson and his attorney in hopes of reaching an agreement on a Settlement Agreement before the full ANC meets on next Tuesday. If not, the parties can request a two week extension to negotiate. Gejdenson hopes to open within the next 30 to 90 days.
Last Monday night, 6B’s Public Safety Committee met to lay the groundwork for guiding the committee’s agendas for the rest of current year. The session was chaired by chair pro tempore, newly elected Commissioner Brian Gorman.
Among suggestions for focusing on the work going forward, were the following:
Hear a crime report from MPD First District every meeting.
Continue discussions about safety at Eastern Market and support expediting installation of static and pneumatic bollards at the Eastern Market Special Use District, including the space occupied by the weekend street vendors.
Continue discussions with residents of Potomac Gardens regarding their specific needs.
Encourage engagement with the Office of the DC Attorney General and departments such as the Departments of Behavior Health and Youth Rehabilitation Services as well as the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, and with representatives of programs including Cure the Streets and the Violence Interrupters.
Monitor City Council legislation dealing with crime issues and advise ANC6B on positions they should take regarding such legislation.
Publicize public safety events, using emails to constituents and posts on the ANC6B website.
Continue neighborhood public safety walks.
Continue monitoring operation of the 911 system and the Office of Unified Command.
Provide a forum for people impacted by crime.
Request regular appearances by the DC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.
There were two suggestions regarding actions committee members, commissioners and residents can take which pointed to things everyone can do to participate personally in addressing crime issues.
Every month, MPD provides an opportunity for ANC Commissioners and residents to engage directly with top MPD First District officials and raise concerns about crime issues which directly affect them or their neighborhoods. It’s surprising that more commissioners and residents fail to take advantage of this opportunity, especially since MPD offers offers assurances that they respond to concerns which are raised. One suggestion that came out of Monday night’s meeting was:
Encourage residents and commissioners to attend the monthly virtual meeting of the MPD First District MPD 1D Citizens Advisory Council Monthly (next meeting: Tuesday, February 4 – 1st Tuesday. 6:00 – 7:15pm. https://1dcac.com/ )
Regarding a another specific way residents can become personally involved to improve the public safety landscape – albeit long term – resident committee member Ann Keep offered a concrete suggestion, pointing to need for mentoring third grade students in reading. Keep, a Hill East resident, says she worked for 35 years in the DC Jail and that her public safety world centered on the jail and on people who are released. She cited a “chilling statistic – when people are considering the construction of new prisons, they look at third grade reading scores because those are the children that are possibly headed in the carceral direction.”
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List of ANC Commissioners for Five ANCs Capitol Hill ANCs
by Larry Janezich
Posted January 7, 2024
The five ANCs which Capitol Hill Corner covers with some regularity will meet this month to elect officers.
The list of commissioners is as follows, along with links to the ANC websites which have contact information for those commissioners. (Some websites have not yet been updated, but soon will be.)
Thursday, January 2, ANC Commissioners were sworn in at a ceremony held at the Walter E. Wshington Convention Center. Image provided by Council of DC.
An image from the other side of the room. Photo: CM Charles Allen’s office.
An image of Ward 7 Commissioners being sworn in – oath being administered by newly-elected Councilmember Wendell Phillips. Photo: Council of DC.
You don’t see this every day – fresh Black Winter Truffles from Spain, vacuum-packed and available at Eastern Market’s Bowers Fancy Dairy Products.
This weekend, the Eastern Market craft vendors moved off of 7th Street, and into the North Hall. On Thursday at 12:00pm, the vendors of the South Hall will hold a moment of silence as the U.S. Navy honors former President Carter with a 21 gun salute from the Navy Yard.
Saturday afternoon, the American flag flew at half staff over the US Capitol in honor of former President Jimmy Carter. The 8 foot security fence reflects the two National Security Events taking place this week: The Joint Meeting of Congress on Monday to count the electoral ballots, and the Lying in State Tuesday – and Wednesday, with the State Funeral following on Thursday. See details below.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, January 6
Snow Emergency in effect. Schools will be closed and trash will not be picked up. Residents will be notified when trash collection resumes.
ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion t/a Kenneth H Nash Post 8 American Legion – 224 D Street SE. Substantial Change to Retailers Class C License to add a Games of Skill endorsement to their operations.
Appointment of ABC Resident Member for 6B06
ANC6C Alcohol Beverage Licensing Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Update from Commissioner Wirt re: Kae LLC 312 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Medical Cannabis Retailer New License.
The Consortium at 201 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Class C Tavern New License
ANC6D will hold a virtual Administrative Meeting at 7:00pm.
Please contact the office at 6d@anc.dc.gov if you wish to have a link to view the meeting.
National Special Security Event. U.S. Congress will hold a joint session to count electoral ballots. The US Secret Service says those who live and work in the District can expect security measures in place like those that are put in place during the State of the Union address.
Tuesday, January 7
National Special Security Event.On Jan. 7, former President Jimmy Carter’s body will leave Georgia and be flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where a motorcade will drive him to Washington, D.C. There will be a service for members of Congress at 3 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.
Carter will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7 p.m. until midnight Tues., Jan. 7, and again from 7 a.m. Wed., Jan. 8 until 7 a.m. Thurs., Jan. 9. Viewers can come to the Capitol and pay their respects during those hours.
At 9 a.m. Jan. 9, Carter’s body will be taken from the Capitol to the Washington National Cathedral for his National Funeral Service.
The Washington Navy Yard will conduct a 21-gun salute to honor President Jimmy Carter on January 9, 2025 at 12 PM. The Navy is honoring Carter’s life and legacy, including his time at the U.S. Naval Academy during World War
“The Secret Service will use drones as part of the comprehensive security plan.
Motion to elect officers: Chair – Dave Wethington (6A04); -Vice Chair/Parliamentarian –Amber Gove (6A04); Secretary – Jeff Gierst (6A06); Treasurer – Roberta Shapiro (6A02)
Motion to elect members and leaders of the permanent Committees for 2024.
Plenary Session:
Suggested Motion: ANC6A approve a 10 percent increase in the compensation for services provided by the ANC 6A administrator and note taker. (The last increase was approved in October 2020.)
Suggested Motion: ANC6A protest the application for Substantial Changes to a Class C Tavern license at Henceforth DC at 1335 H Street, NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Suggested Motion : ANC6A protest the application for a new Class C Tavern at Ethio Vegan at 1362 H Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
Suggested Motion : ANC6A protest the application for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license for Dreamy DC at 1111 H Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached. ANC 6A will request formal confirmation from ABCA that the proposed location for Dreamy DC does not violate any of the proximity limits in the Medical Cannabis laws or regulations.
Suggested Motion : ANC6A ANC 6A protest the application for a Medical Cannabis Retailer license for Proper Exotic at 13 8th Street NE, unless a settlement agreement is reached.
ANC6B Planning and Zoning Committee hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Historic Preservation Application for 321 D Street, SE
1900 Massachusetts Ave., SE [7F08] . Zoning application for construction of new correctional facility. Owner(s): Department of General Services Applicant: Eric DeBear
409 8th Street SE – Popeyes
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The Week Ahead…& Some Mostly Restaurant Photo News
by Larry Janezich
Posted Sunday, December 8
Boxcar Tavern has been purchased and according to a source, is investing in a $200,000 renovation to open an upscale bar called The Lobby Bar. The owner, the source says, hopes to open in a few weeks. That seems optimistic.
On last Monday afternoon, workers were engaged in a substantial demolition and construction project inside Boxcar.
Lavagna has a new owner who is somewhat vague about his plans for the retail space. He introduced himself as Daoud and said “we haven’t decided – it might be a smoke shop or maybe we might serve Mediterranean food “– though he acknowledged that the previous tenant had had a restaurant and “it hadn’t worked for them. “ He said he might separate the space on the second floor since there were two entrances in the front. Asked when he might know what the plans are, he replied he wasn’t sure, but “You’ll know soon enough.” The owner said he has a smoke shop on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.
The new Popeyes at 409 8th Street, Barracks Row – is shown here on the right adjacent to the build out for Taco Bell. Despite bending over backwards to address concerns of nearby neighbors and other businesses on Barracks Row, Popeyes has hit a speed bump with their attempt to reopen under a new franchisee. The problem is with the Department of Buildings (DOB) which is insisting that the restaurant have two restrooms. Popeyes plan was to use one of the two existing bathrooms for indoor trash storage in accordance with best rodent control practices urged by the neighbors. DC Code provides an exception for low occupancy restaurants to operate with one restroom. The code is open to interpretation by DOB, and they’re coming down on the side of the rodents – this despite support for the trash storage plan from the DC Department of Health Rodent Control.
The neighbors and Popeyes appealed to ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee for advice and assistance at last week’s committee meeting. The committee voted to write a letter to DOB and CM Allen to urge granting an exception and permit one of the two bathrooms to be used for trash storage. The recommendation to send the letter will come up before the full ANC6B at its December meeting next Tuesday. The DC Health Department shut down this Popeye’s in November of 2021 after a video of a rat infestation went viral.
Barracks Row’s Cafe 8 Mediterranean Bistro wants to more than double its occupancy. The request to amend their liquor license application to increase occupancy from 88 to 180 comes after the restaurant purchased two adjacent buildings. Last Tuesday, ANC6B’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Committee voted to support the request. The full ANC will take up the recommendation at next Tuesday’s December meeting of the full commission.
The café at 424 Eighth Street, SE, is a hookah bar and grille owned and operated by a Turkish family and has been in business on Barracks Row for almost 20 years.
Rosedale Library Update. Last Tuesday night at Rosedale Library, DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan, announced at a community meeting on the future of Rosedale Library, that the current site of the Library had been selected to build the new Rosedale Library. The yexpect to open in 2030.
The Week Ahead….
Highlights
Tuesday, ANC6B: Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Pre-Inauguration Briefing
(Postponed until December 19.) Thursday, DPR Community meeting on Rumsey Aquatic Center
Community Announcements (Commissioners and Audience
Public Safety Report (PSA 103,105,106)
Community Concerns
Presentations
Illegal Cannabis Enforcement (ABCA Dir. Moosally, CM Allen, Capt. Hrebanek)
DCPS Amidon-Bowen Swing Space
Pepco Stacks Substation Repairs, Renovation
DOEE – Lead Safe and Healthy Housing
Consent Agenda
Development, Planning, and Transportation
501 I Street SW
Commission Updates & Administrative Matters
***POSTPONED*** ANC6B Parks and Public Spaces Taskforce will meet at 7:00pm at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Second Floor, Conference Room 3 (Main Entrance Adjacent to Trader Joe’s)
Among items on the agenda: TBA
Tuesday, December 10
ANC6B will hold a hybrid meeting at 7:00pm. Meeting location will be 700 Pennsylvania Ave SE; First Floor (entry adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
For info on how to access the virtual meeting, go here: https://anc6b.org/
Among items on the draft agenda:
Introductions
Consent Agenda
Administrative Consent Items
Amendment of Standing Rules
Annual Report for ANC 6B 2024
January 2025 ABC Committee – Orthodox Christmas Conflict (Move to January 6th, 2025)
Community & Commission Announcements and Speak Out
Presentations
Green New Deal for Social Housing Presentation – Connor Laughland
Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – Pre-Inauguration Briefing
ANC 6B Input on Other Items of Concern
Presentation of 2024 Outstanding Public Service Award
Letter to Council to Support Funding for Initiative 83
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Committee
Café Bistro Med – 424 8th Street SE. Request to amend settlement agreement to allow for greater occupancy. (Capacity from 88 to 180)
Planning and Zoning Committee
Letter to DOB, CM Charles Allen, et. al;, supporting Popeyes appeal for an exception from regulations requiring two bathrooms in order to free up space for indoor trash storage in accordance with neighbor’s request for this rodent control measure.
Public Safety Committee
Resolution Regarding Implementation of the Gun Violence Reduction Strategic Plan
Motion to renew service agreements for package prep/web services and notetaker for FY2025.
Single Member District reports (2 minute each)
Community Comments (2 minutes each)
***DPR Community Meeting*** (Postponed until December 19.)
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a community meeting on the demolition and modernization of the Rumsey Aquatic Center at 6:00pm in the North Hall of Eastern Market. It is anticipated that the design/build team will take part in the meeting. For more, see here: https://bit.ly/3ZsHnsv
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
Hill Center Event
Our City. Our Music. Our Writers., Featuring Daniel Boomhower and Carol Oja. Tuesday, December 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. In-person at the Hill Center. $10.00. Register here: https://bit.ly/3Bem7hX
Hill Center Event
“SONG OF SOLSTICE” A Celtic Christmas Celebration Featuring: OCEAN Celtic Quartet. Sunday, December 15 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. In-person. $20.00. Register here: https://bit.ly/49seW2g
Folger Library Free Event
Free community singalong with Choral Director and The Voice contestant (season 25) L. Rodgers. Friday, December 13, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Great Hall of the Folger Library.
The Folger is ringing in the season with favorite festive tunes at our next Folger Friday! Join for a cheerful evening of songs, crafts, and warm beverages as we celebrate in community. Free Register here: https://bit.ly/3Vp8t2n
Reminder: Public Safety Forum: Gun Violence Reduction Strategies – Thursday – November 14
Posted November 13, 2024
The ANC6B Public Safety Committee invites you to join a virtual forum about gun violence reduction strategies and comprehensive community safety plans on Thursday, November 14, 2024. 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Opening remarks from the Greater Washington Community Foundation will be followed by a discussion with both local and national experts on city safety. Residents will leave with information about strategies being implemented in DC, those that are working in other cities, and what you can do to improve safety for all residents in the city.
Confirmed panelists include:
Opening remarks from Kirby Gaherty, Greater Washington Community Foundation
Rev. Judie Shepherd-Gore, InnerCity Collaborative Community Development Corp
Kristy Love, DC Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Patrice Sulton, DC Justice Lab
David Muhammad, National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform
Tony Lopez, Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety
Wilford Pinkney, St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention
Closing remarks from Daniel Ehrenpreis, ANC 5F Public Safety and Health Committee
Panel moderated by Jody Kent Lavy, ANC6B Public Safety Committee
Other event partners include:
ANC1A Public Safety Committee
ANC 4C
ANC 5F Public Safety and Health Committee
Network of Victim Recovery of DC
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CAPITOL HILL CORNER 