Political Activism

MDC DSA’s New Magazine Essays Discussion Club meets in person to discuss new essays from some of the Left’s most thought-provoking magazines. All are welcome to join the club’s meeting to discuss three essays from the latest issue of *[Parapraxis](https://www.parapraxismagazine.com/magazine)*. For more details and links to the readings, check out [the group’s info doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hgx8ZJgQSPUvtbnKRDt5OXZWPij3jVEuLAY-5usdv5o/edit?usp=sharing). Please RSVP on [Action Network](https://actionnetwork.org/events/new-magazine-essays-discussion-club-15/) to receive further updates on this event. \* \* \* This event is open to both DSA Members and supporters. Not a Member? Please consider [becoming a Member](https://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC). Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford.

***Let’s start Climate Week with community, inspiration, and action.*** Join **EcoAction Arlington** for a morning gathering that brings together residents, sustainability leaders, nonprofits, and local businesses to launch Climate Week in Arlington. Over coffee and a light breakfast, we’ll connect with fellow community members, hear short talks from local climate leaders, and explore practical ways we can take action together. The event will also introduce the **[GetGreen App](https://www.getgreen.eco/)**, a tool that helps individuals track sustainable habits, discover local climate initiatives, and participate in community challenges during Climate Week. ### **What to Expect** * Coffee and a light breakfast * Networking with climate-minded community members * Short talks from local sustainability leaders * Introduction to the **[GetGreen App](https://www.getgreen.eco/)** Climate Week Challenge * Opportunities to connect with local organizations Whether you’re new to climate action or already involved, this event is a great way to meet others and kick off a week of sustainability-focused activities. ### **Event Details** April 20 8:00 – 9:30 AM Lubber Run Community Center Oak Room Stop by anytime between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. and stay as long as you can for networking and ongoing opportunities to see a demonstration of the GetGreen App. From 8:30 to 8:50 a.m., we will have a brief program featuring remarks from local leaders and business representatives.

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Facing Fascism,”** on the history, hallmarks, and lingering power of a deadly ideology, with Kevin Matthews, professor of history at George Mason University and teacher of courses on early 20th century European history. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-facing-fascism](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-facing-fascism) .] Few political movements have aroused as much anger and fear as fascism. But despite its legacy of violence, persecution, and genocide, fascism continues to hold a strange attraction to many. Join historian Kevin Matthews for an in-depth look at an ideology that brought death to millions in Europe and yet continues to deeply influence our politics and culture. Dr. Matthews will start by discussing how the ideology of fascism arose in the aftermath of the First World War and took hold in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. To give you a better grasp of what exactly fascism is, he’ll discuss its central themes: Anti-democracy. Extreme nationalism and anti-communism. The use, or threat, of violence in politics. Rejection of established values such as scientific objectivity. Denial of equal rights, especially for women. The assertion of power where a power vacuum exists. We’ll examine the rise and fall of two notorious fascist dictators, Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy. For a time it was believed that fascism died in the ashes of the Second World War, but it clearly didn’t, and we’ll look at where it remains a political force today. Finally, we’ll examine how fascism continues to permeate popular culture in ways that trivialize it, popping up in music from punk to Madonna, with its latent eroticism making it the subject of films such as *The Night Porter.* Having been called “the most self-consciously visual of all political forms,” it enlisted fashion leaders to produce uniforms and continues today to inspire a look known as “Nazi chic.” Dr. Matthews previously has given fantastic Profs and Pints talks on Ireland’s fight for independence and on World War II German submarine attacks off our coasts. He’s sure to leave you with a much better understanding of fascism and a recognition that is has hardly gone away. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler during Mussolini's 1940 visit in Munich (photographer unknown / public domain).

This CREATIVE HAPPY HOUR is for creative people and folks who appreciate creativity. Whether you attend, produce, appreciate, or promote, you are welcome to join us on Monday, April 20, 2026 from 5pm-7pm for CREATIVE HAPPY HOUR at Silver Branch Brewing Co in Silver Spring, MD. Register on Eventbrite at [https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com](https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com). Come meet, network, and enjoy. Only those ages 21 and up can attend. Happy Hour specials are from 5pm-6pm: $5.95 beer and select drinks. Entrance is free. This is a casual event. Register on Eventbrite at [https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com](https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com). This event is produced by[ DC Filmmakers Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/dcfilmmakers) in partnership with, [ ](https://reelabilities.org/greaterwash/)[ReelAbilities Film Festival: Greater Washington](https://reelabilities.org/greaterwash), [ TIVA](https://www.tivadc.org/) (Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC),[ WIFV](https://www.wifv.org/) (Women in Film & Video),[ Wheaton Film Festival](https://www.wheatonfilmfestival.com/),[ Docs in Progress](https://www.docsinprogress.org/), DC Media Makers Group, etc. Sponsored by[ Brian Frankel Law Firm PLLC](https://brianfrankel.com/),[ Creative Colony Spaces](https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/membership/overview), and Adobe Software. Enjoy delicious craft beers, tasty snacks, and great company in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or just looking to unwind after a long day, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on the opportunity to kick back and relax with us at Silver Branch Brewing Co. Use the QR codes at the table to order food and drinks, and be prepared to mingle. Check out the[ Silver Branch Brewing Company's Menu](https://www.silverbranchbrewing.com/lagerhaus-biergarten/). PARKING: Paid parking available one block away at the county's Cameron Street Garage on 8530 Cameron Street (Better pricing than street or private parking.) See you there on 4/20/26! Register on Eventbrite at [https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com](https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com).

This CREATIVE HAPPY HOUR is for creative people and folks who appreciate creativity. Whether you attend, produce, appreciate, or promote, you are welcome to join us on Monday, April 20, 2026 from 5pm-7pm for CREATIVE HAPPY HOUR at Silver Branch Brewing Co in Silver Spring, MD. Register on Eventbrite at [https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com](https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com). Come meet, network, and enjoy. Only those ages 21 and up can attend. Happy Hour specials are from 5pm-6pm: $5.95 beer and select drinks. Entrance is free. This is a casual event. Register on Eventbrite at [https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com](https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com). This event is produced by[ DC Filmmakers Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/dcfilmmakers) in partnership with, [ ](https://reelabilities.org/greaterwash/)[ReelAbilities Film Festival: Greater Washington](https://reelabilities.org/greaterwash), [ TIVA](https://www.tivadc.org/) (Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC),[ WIFV](https://www.wifv.org/) (Women in Film & Video),[ Wheaton Film Festival](https://www.wheatonfilmfestival.com/),[ Docs in Progress](https://www.docsinprogress.org/), DC Media Makers Group, etc. Sponsored by[ Brian Frankel Law Firm PLLC](https://brianfrankel.com/),[ Creative Colony Spaces](https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/membership/overview), and Adobe Software. Enjoy delicious craft beers, tasty snacks, and great company in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or just looking to unwind after a long day, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on the opportunity to kick back and relax with us at Silver Branch Brewing Co. Use the QR codes at the table to order food and drinks, and be prepared to mingle. Check out the[ Silver Branch Brewing Company's Menu](https://www.silverbranchbrewing.com/lagerhaus-biergarten/). PARKING: Paid parking available one block away at the county's Cameron Street Garage on 8530 Cameron Street (Better pricing than street or private parking.) See you there on 4/20/26! Register on Eventbrite at [https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com](https://HappyHour4-20-26.eventbrite.com).

Volunteer with us refurbishing donated bicycles to help us get them back out in the community! This event is open to both new and existing volunteers. No mechanical experience is necessary. Note: The warehouse location is in the alley behind 1502 Mt Vernon Ave. Enter through the gray door next to a roll-down garage door. If you drive to the location, be sure to park in the street, not in the alleys or parking lots surrounding the warehouse. And wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty with bicycle grease! Please be aware that volunteers under 18 need a parent or guardian to accompany them to their first volunteer experience and sign a liability waiver, while volunteers under 16 need a parent or guardian to accompany them at all times while volunteering with Vélocity.

In America today, police enjoy unmatched power. On the streets, officers employ violence at their own discretion. Behind closed doors, they are even more powerful. In city halls, police strong-arm local leaders and nullify attempts at public oversight. And in state legislatures and Washington, DC, police lobbyists and union leaders zealously uphold a bipartisan consensus against even mild reform. Yet as recently as fifty years ago, police still served at the pleasure of democratically elected politicians, not the other way around. In *Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves*, Stuart Schrader narrates the rise of a bottom-up movement of rank-and-file officers who lifted policing above the law. Organizers launched their campaign in the 1960s, courting a public backlash to urban uprisings and civil rights. City by city, county by county, they formed unions and other organizations and won control over working conditions, impunity from oversight, and insulation from lean budgets. By the 2000s, this movement had triumphed nationally, shoring up the power of the police to overrule the public interest in the name of law and order. Through deep archival detective work, *Blue Power* reveals how police forced American democracy to back the blue. Join us for a discussion of the book with the author at our next Socialist Night School. Stuart Schrader is an associate professor of history at Johns Hopkins University, where he is the director of the Chloe Center for the Critical Study of Racism, Immigration, and Colonialism. He is also the author of *Badges Without Borders: How Global Counterinsurgency Transformed American Policing*. Questions? Accessibility concerns? Email politicaleducation@mdcdsa.org Those wishing to attend virtually may [register for the event on Zoom](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rXfKMwaNR3S2x1puQWiahQ). Please RSVP on [Action Network](https://actionnetwork.org/events/blue-power-socialist-night-school) to receive further updates on this event. NOTE: This event will be recorded and may be shared on MDC DSA’s social media platforms for educational purposes. By participating, you acknowledge that you may be videotaped and livestreamed. If you wish to avoid being recorded, you should take efforts to avoid appearing on camera or speaking. \* \* \* This event is open to both DSA Members and supporters. Not a Member? Please consider [becoming a Member](https://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC). Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford.

Join We Power DC, the Energy Democracy Coalition (EDCO), and author Sandeep Vaheesan (Democracy in Power) for a deep dive into the history and future of public power. Learn how movements across the country and in the nation’s capital are reshaping America’s electric grid! [https://luma.com/xnvixyj4?tk=y9IVyS](https://luma.com/xnvixyj4?tk=y9IVyS) \* \* \* This event is open to both DSA Members and supporters. Not a Member? Please consider [becoming a Member](https://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC). Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford.

This Happy Hour is devoted to professionals in the Green, Sustainable Energy and Environment; to grow, interact, and learn from each other. It is designed to provide a professional environment to meet other professionals to broaden one's career. It is also for those interested in careers in the sector and are studying or intend to enter the dynamic world of green movement. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD:) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign areas for each represented INDUSTRIES AND SPECIALIZATIONS; and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. All are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular experience, you would like to exchange. Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is required. PLEASE BRING A BUSINESS CARD (HARD/SOFT COPY). Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to connect with others as well. 3. We all are professionals in one or two fields and be willing to share your knowledge and experience to others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't belong the other person's required specialization, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face networking event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](mailto:info@merevents.com)). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. ***Please be patient for the first 30 minutes, up until we form a group with your respective industry/sector.*** ***AFTER THE SOCIAL, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** \- Come one\, come all; YOU CAN FLY SOLO TOO:\) This is the most friendliest event you have ever attended\! \- Feel free to invite your friends\. They don't necessarily have to be a member \- Celebrate your birthdays or your moments in life with us\. \- For bottle/table service email \(info@[merevents.co](http://merevents.co/)m) or text at (202) 368-1878. \- Event is 21\+ ***N.B. : We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)).*** PAKING INFO Street Parking might be a challenge and the event involves drinking and we highly recommend a shared ride or taxi service. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Facing Fascism,”** on the history, hallmarks, and lingering power of a deadly ideology, with Kevin Matthews, professor of history at George Mason University and teacher of courses on early 20th century European history. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-facing-fascism](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-facing-fascism) .] Few political movements have aroused as much anger and fear as fascism. But despite its legacy of violence, persecution, and genocide, fascism continues to hold a strange attraction to many. Join historian Kevin Matthews for an in-depth look at an ideology that brought death to millions in Europe and yet continues to deeply influence our politics and culture. Dr. Matthews will start by discussing how the ideology of fascism arose in the aftermath of the First World War and took hold in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. To give you a better grasp of what exactly fascism is, he’ll discuss its central themes: Anti-democracy. Extreme nationalism and anti-communism. The use, or threat, of violence in politics. Rejection of established values such as scientific objectivity. Denial of equal rights, especially for women. The assertion of power where a power vacuum exists. We’ll examine the rise and fall of two notorious fascist dictators, Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy. For a time it was believed that fascism died in the ashes of the Second World War, but it clearly didn’t, and we’ll look at where it remains a political force today. Finally, we’ll examine how fascism continues to permeate popular culture in ways that trivialize it, popping up in music from punk to Madonna, with its latent eroticism making it the subject of films such as *The Night Porter.* Having been called “the most self-consciously visual of all political forms,” it enlisted fashion leaders to produce uniforms and continues today to inspire a look known as “Nazi chic.” Dr. Matthews previously has given fantastic Profs and Pints talks on Ireland’s fight for independence and on World War II German submarine attacks off our coasts. He’s sure to leave you with a much better understanding of fascism and a recognition that is has hardly gone away. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler during Mussolini's 1940 visit in Munich (photographer unknown / public domain).

Please be sure to RSVP here! https://stampede.proanimal.org/events Join your fellow animal lovers and DC Animal Protection to discuss what’s happening in the animal advocacy scene in DC! This series is a weekly meetup, with guest speakers from all of the major animals rights orgs. We’ll host non-profits such as Pro-Animal Future, International Council for Animal Welfare, DC Voters for Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals and Direct Action Everywhere as well as local grassroots groups like the DC Coalition Against Foie Gras and sanctuaries. We’ll also have special sessions related to health, nutrition and mindfulness! We encourage anyone who is interested in helping animals to attend- no need to be vegan! Come learn about our rich variety of local activism. With protests, outreach, wheat-pasting, signature collecting, leafletting, lobbying, tabling etc. there’s something to match everyone’s comfort level and skill set. Coffee, bagels and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share (no animal products please.) Hope to see you soon! :) Note: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed at our venue. Please leave your furry friends at home.

**YES! YES!! YES!!!** **FREE HUGS on the National Mall are happening again!!** **"Spreading More Love"** Here are two videos of past FREE HUGS gatherings: [FREE HUGS October 2017. 32 sec.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh7v3zucDas) [FREE HUGS Veterans Day 2016. 58 sec.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebTt9Q177zQ) **HEY EVERYONE!** Now that the Flu, COVID and RSV have subsided, we are **RESUMING OUR MONTHLY FREE HUGS GATHERINGS!!** FREE HUGS gatherings generate so much excitement, joy, appreciation, connection, peace, love, smiles, “Thank you’s,” lots of laughter and such positive energy!! Our FREE HUGS movement is all about "Spreading More Love" regardless of political, religious, racial or gender identification or any other identification. **!! IMPORTANT !!** We meet OUTSIDE of the National Museum of Natural History on the NATIONAL MALL SIDE OF THE MUSEUM near the Refreshment stand. ADDRESS: 1306 Madison Dr. NW · Washington, DC **PARKING:** On the street parking OR [Nearest Parking](https://washingtondc.bestparking.com/destinations/national-mall-parking) **METRO:** Smithsonian National Mall Metro Station (NOT Independence Ave.) **We hope you will join us for an AWESOME time!** **Lots of Hugs...jeff** 301-885-8259 (c) \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Note 1: if you agree to participate in any FREE HUGS Event, you agree to the following terms: By choosing to attend this event, you are acknowledging the risks involved (COVID, etc.), and you are committing to participate nonviolently and in accordance with the law. You agree: (i) not to engage in any act of violence or violation of any applicable law (ii) to obey the orders of authorized event marshals and law enforcement authorities (iii) that any Meetup group will not be responsible to any injury or damage to your person or property resulting from or occurring in the course of your participating in the Event; and iv) to release and forever hold harmless Jeff Maurer, Meetup group and their respective employees and volunteers from liability for any such injury or damage. Note 2: FREE HUGS gatherings are 1. NOT for advertising our businesses; 2. NOT about promoting political or religious or racial or gender issues or any other issues.

Building toward a shared political vision: that utilities are a human right and should be collectively controlled. As utility costs continue to rise across the District, a familiar pattern is emerging: Black working-class communities in Ward 7 and 8 are forced to shoulder the heaviest burden while corporations expand their energy use unchecked. High bills are not simply the result of “marketforces,” but of political decisions that prioritize profit—seen clearly in the growing energy demands of AI data centers and corporate infrastructure. This **Assata Shakur Popular Education (ASPE)** session will examine how utilities are managed under capitalism, breaking down the myth of neutral “budgeting” and exposing how resources are privatized and distributed to serve profit, not human need. We will expand our understanding of budgeting as the coordination of limited resources—energy, labor, and infrastructure—and challenge who gets to make those decisions. At the same time, we will build toward a shared political vision: that utilities are a human right and should be collectively controlled. *Food will be provided!*

5th annual Earth Day Celebration! This year (2026) the Celebration is scheduled for April 25th with activities running from 10am-2pm. This is a non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome! We will have food trucks, Birds of Prey, kids crafts, live music, raspberry plants, apple trees, and of course NATIVE PLANTS! Where: Lynd Fruit Farm, 9399 Morse Rd, Pataskala Ohio 43062 Time: Activities will be from 10am- 2pm. The Market will remain open until 5pm.

Our Sewing & Crafting Activity Group is gathering to connect, serve, and create together in a Christ-centered environment. Whether you’re experienced or brand new, all skill levels are welcome. No supplies needed, but sewing machines are appreciated if you’re comfortable bringing one. Join us January 20th, February 17th & 24th, March 17th & 24th, and April 21st from 1–6 PM in the Youth Building at Village Chapel as we begin with prayer, enjoy fellowship, and work on meaningful service projects together. You are welcome to drop by anytime!

Get ready for a fun night with amazing food, great energy, and even better company! 🥰✨ 🍽️ Portia’s Café — 6:30PM 🛼 Skate Zone 71 — 8:30PM Come join us for delicious vegan food and/or roller skating — it’s totally up to you! Whether you come for the food, the skating, or both… you’re in for a great time 💗 📍 Portia’s Café 4424 Indianola Ave Columbus, OH 43214 📍 Skate Zone 71 4900 Evanswood Dr Columbus, OH 43229

Join us on Monday nights at 7pm for two 25 minute quiet meditations, with one short walking meditation in between. There will be a brief and informal conversation afterward. Stay for as long as you like and feel free to bring or share whatever is on your mind. All Zen Center events are also available via Zoom at bit.ly/IndyZen.

[The Kind Exchange](https://www.facebook.com/events/3087825058070662/) A gathering to share, swap, and connect with like-minded people who care about plant-based living, sustainability, and mindful choices. This is more than a swap — it’s a space to circulate what we already have and meet others in the community. Bring any of the following to share: * **Vegan-related books** (cookbooks, sustainability, mindful living, etc.) * **Plants or cuttings** (optional) Swap for something new-to-you from others. *The more you bring, the more there is to exchange!* Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly- [https://form.jotform.com/260975490897073](https://form.jotform.com/260975490897073?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVGxJeFRub0FQNmhUcmF3VnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4u9YhVWcSkITKfEn_NajeEUIyxFrXbcaG0HjFHoQn-MCxKlhGlUpFAnsMIzw_aem_vo9QISntFpTtGskmWaVEkQ) Unclaimed books/plants at the end of the event will be donated.