DC Racial Justice Orgs Denounce Mayor Bowser’s Bow to the President’s Military Occupation
September 4, 2025
Washington, DC — Civil rights organizations and youth organizers in DC are raising deep concerns around Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s executive order extending cooperation with federal law enforcement. The order, which incorporates the president’s “Safe and Beautiful” framing and signs off on his racist campaign of fear and harassment over DC residents, represents an endorsement of the federal takeover.
Advancement Project, Black Swan Academy, DC Girls’ Coalition, EmpowerEd, CARE Anacostia, Anti-Racist DC, DC Action, The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project, Guns Down Friday, Crowns Inc. and Critical Exposure – D.C.-based organizations that advocate for the rights of Black and Latine communities – have responded to the situation with the following statement:
“Mayor Bowser just reinforced Trump’s harmful plan, using ‘public safety’ as an excuse to endanger our communities. After years of being blamed and criminalized for simply being young, Black youth in D.C. now face even greater danger. This executive order extends, escalates, and normalizes a militarized police state in the district. Moreover, Mayor Bowser’s redoubled commitment to policing over everything –highlighted the recent announcement of 13% raises for Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) at a time when our safety nets are on their last legs – diverts essential resources from the community directly into the pockets of those terrorizing our neighbors. Black youth and immigrant communities will continue to disproportionately suffer the worst consequences of these heartless policies.
Racial profiling, ICE abductions, and police harassment of Black and brown youth, immigrants, and unhoused communities have already devastated our city since the occupation started. Now, Mayor Bowser’s acceptance of this federal takeover invites the same occupation in cities across the country, escalating the threat to all our communities. The deployment of armed National Guard troops at the whims of the administration is one of the most concrete steps yet toward authoritarianism.
We continue to denounce this authoritarian power grab and call on our D.C. Council representatives to oppose Mayor Bowser’s decision and take immediate steps to ensure D.C. youth are protected by making radical investments in what we know prevents violence from occurring in the first place. We call for the immediate end of D.C.’s occupation, we stand with Washington, D.C. and will continue to fight for dignity and self-determination for the people of D.C.”
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Advancement Project is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change. We are a co-convener of the National Campaign for Police Free schools, a formation of 20+ youth-led grassroots organizations fighting to end the criminalization of youth in the classroom, create liberatory educational spaces, and implement an affirmative vision of safety and transformative justice. Visit www.advancementproject.org to learn more.
The Black Swan Academy empowers Black youth in under-served communities through civic leadership and engagement, giving them a comprehensive set of tools needed to succeed in life and become active social catalysts in their communities. We are committed to creating a pipeline of Black youth leaders that are committed to transforming themselves, as well as their communities.
