Local Resources
This page has useful stuff for anarchists who live in DC or are visiting the city. If you have anything to add or if you find an error, please let us know.
You may also want to check out the DC-@-LIST, a resource guide for anarchists and radicals in the DC area. You can download the flyer in a 2-page pdf.
Categories on this page:
Activist Groups
(some other orgs are listed on this page in applicable categories)
Empower DC:
Empower DC works to enhance and improve the self-advocacy of low income and working people in the District of Columbia in order to bring about sustained self improvement in their quality of life.
Mayday DC:
Mayday DC is a community of activists committed to the belief that housing is a human right, and that all people are entitled to economic justice. (not sure if they are still active)
Positive Force:
Positive Force DC is an activist group that works for fundamental social change and youth empowerment. They organize benefit and free concerts, demonstrations and teach-ins and also do direct work with needy people. It is geared more toward young people, but anyone is welcome.
IMF & World Bank Protests:
Mobilization for Global Justice is a coalition of individuals and organizations hosting activists from across the nation and around the world to challenge the policies of the IMF and World Bank during their annual meetings.
IWW:
The International Workers of the World (IWW) is a fighting labor union that strives to unite all working people as a class in one big union. It is open to all workers; you do not have to be employed at a particular workplace to join IWW. DC IWW email list.
Students:
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is a national association of young people of the left. It seeks to create a sustained community of educational and political concern, one bringing together liberals, radicals, and revolutionaries, activists and scholars, students, staff, and faculty. DC SDS announcement email list.
Environment:
Potomac Earth First is a movement that uses a direct action approach to protect the wilderness. This chapter is based in the bio-region of Frederick, Shepherdstown, Gettysburg, and DC. Potomac Earth First announcement email list.
Art & Music
Guerrilla Poets:
The DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency (GPI) is an anti-authoritarian, collaborative, pro-humanity artists’ collective incorporating music, rhythm, spoken word, community and resistance.
Books, etc.
Infoshop:
The Brian MacKenzie Infoshop is a radical book and record shop, as well as a resource center, in the Shaw neighborhood. They are organized around anarchist principles and are volunteer and cooperatively run. The Infoshop hosts concerts, radical speakers, workshops, zine fairs and other events regularly.
Public Library:
The DC Public Library (including 27 branches) has a surprising amount of useful information, and the best part is that it’s free! Check out radical authors like Emma Goldman, or find books for info on DIY projects. The main location also has free computer training classes.
Gay & Lesbian Bookstore:
Lambda Rising Bookstore, near Dupont Circle, has gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender books and gifts.
Activist Resource Center:
Provisions Library: A Resource Center for Activism & Arts is a library with over 2,500 volumes of alternative fiction and nonfiction and 300 progressive journals, ‘zines, and newsletters. They also hold exhibitions, screenings, and workshops. Near Dupont Circle.
Communication
Anarchist Email List
The DC anarchist email list list has announcements of anarchist-related events. It is not very active, but there are a lot of subscribers.
Indymedia:
The DC Independent Media Center (IMC) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit group of media producers, working as part of an international network of Indymedia centers to provide a viable alternative to the corporate media’s profit-driven agenda.
DC Radio Coop:
The DC Radio Coop trains members of the community in sound gathering, news reporting, proper use of equipment, computer literacy, and digital audio production. They also run the People’s Media Center at AlFishawy Café, a grassroots community center to empower the disenfranchised people in the D.C. metro area thru education, arts, media, leadership training, financial development, and civic services.
Radio CPR:
Radio CPR is a low-power community radio station out of Mt. Pleasant/Columbia Heights.
Street Sense:
Street Sense is a DC-based biweekly street newspaper with a mission to raise public awareness on the issues of homelessness and poverty in the city and to create economic opportunities for people experiencing homelessness.
Conferences
Visions in Feminism:
Visions in Feminism is a low-cost, accessible conference for people of all races, ages, genders and experiences to come together to discuss the social, political and cultural implications of feminism, and to develop tools to create an ongoing network of dialogue and action. (spring)
NCOR:
The National Conference of Organized Resistance (NCOR) is an annual event that brings together people from all backgrounds for a weekend of learning and discussing local and international social justice issues through workshops, panel discussions, and skillshares. (February or March)
Different Kind of Dude Fest:
Different Kind of Dude Fest aims to present an alternative to the self-indulgent dudedom of the average fest, through workshops and discussions. They want to create a space for discussion of what masculinity means and how to be a responsible feminist ally. (fall)
Education & Learning
Activist Leadership Classes:
The Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (SALSA) is an evening learning program providing classes in the Washington, D.C. area on scores of topics in nonprofit management, communications, fundraising, direct action, and career development.
Free Computer Classes:
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (downtown) offers free computer classes. Topic include: typing, PC basics, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, web, email, HTML, and health literacy.
Food
Vegan-friendly Restaurants:
Veg DC restaurant list and Veggilicious restaurant list
Farmers Markets:
Getting fresh veggies grown at local farms helps the environment, and allows you to support local farmers rather than big agri-business. List of Farmers Markets in DC.
Maryland Food Collective:
The Maryland Food Collective is a worker-owned non-profit store at the University of Maryland, College Park. They have a volunteer-for-food program to allow people to purchase items in the store if they do not have the money.
Food Not Bombs:
Food Not Bombs recovers food that would otherwise be thrown out, then serves it outside in public spaces to anyone without restriction. DC FNB meets every Sunday at AU and serves at Dupont Circle. For more info, contact Nicole at (732) 804-0051
Free and Cheap Stuff
Craigslist:
Craigslist is free online classifieds for just about everything you can imagine. Check out the “free” and “barter” categories.
Freecycle:
Freecycle helps reduce consumption and waste by connecting people who are throwing away items with others who are seeking the same. Items are posted on an email list, and everything is free.
Health and Sexuality
Free Teen Clinic:
Planned Parenthood’s free teen clinic offers free, confidential reproductive health, birth control and health education to DC youth in a teen-friendly setting.
LGBTQ Youth:
The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Their mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTQ youth as they journey from adolescence into adulthood.
Rape and Incest Survivors:
DC Rape Crisis Center has a 24-hour hotline, group and individual counseling services for rape and incest survivors and their families and friends, a companion program to accompany survivors to hospitals, courts and police proceedings, low-cost self-defense classes, a growing library, training for professionals working with survivors and a wide array of community education programs.
Domestic Violence Survivors:
Women Empowered Against Violence (WEAVE) provides services for survivors of domestic violence, including legal assistance, safety and needs assessments, and counseling.
Sex Workers:
Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS) assists female, male, and transgendered individuals engaging in sex work in Washington, DC in leading healthy lives. HIPS’ programs strive to address the impact that HIV/AIDS, STIs, discrimination, poverty, violence and drug use have on the lives of individuals engaging in sex work.
Needle Exchange:
PreventionWorks seeks to prevent the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases among injection and other drug users, their partners, and their newborn children. They serve clients weekly at 12 needle exchange sites located near active drug strips. They also accept and service walk-in clients at our main office.
Down There Health Collective:
Down There strives to create safe, comfortable and supportive environments to learn and share information, particularly around health, sexuality and gender, and to bring up body and mental health issues that too often go unaddressed. For info on upcoming workshops, contact: downtherehealth@mutualaid.org
Housing
Short-term Housing:
DChousing.net lists low-cost housing options for people working in the public interest: guest houses, hostels, rooms for rent, apartments, shares/sublets, and roommate matching.
Hostels:
Hostelling International - downtown
Washington International Student Center - Adams Morgan
Hilltop Hostel - Takoma Park
Tenants’ Rights:
Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA)
DC Tenants Advococy Coalition
Landlord Tenant Resource Center
Hypothermia Hotline:
Call 1-800-535-7252. When the temperature is below 32, the Shelter Hotline provides transportation to emergency shelters for homeless people, and distributes items such as blankets, gloves and jackets. More resources if you are homeless
Legal
Legal Collective:
Justice & Solidarity Collective - Radical activists, legal workers, and lawyers who combine resources with existing progressive legal community to: act as an information clearing house, provide or arrange for relevant and/or requested trainings, and support activists, arrested individuals and community. (not sure if they are still active)
National Lawyer’s Guild:
NLG DC is an organization of lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers who work to defend protesters, political dissidents, immigrants, and the unrepresented.
Transportation
Critical Mass:
Critical Mass is a monthly group bicycle ride to celebrate bicycles and their right to the road. Other non-motorized wheeled vehicles are welcome (unicycles, skates, etc.). DC Critical Mass email list.