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The months-long D.C. protests felt leaderless at times. But the force behind them was young people, who went on to create their own movements alongside more established groups like Black Lives Matter D.C. and BYP100 D.C. These leaders were not about centering themselves, but rather the collective.

In early June, these young people sent out digital calls to meet in Downtown D.C. to protest against police brutality and anti-Black racism. Hundreds showed up, and Freedom Fighters DC was born. 

The summer of 2020 was the start of FFDC, Concerned Citizens of D.C., and DC Protests. For this week’s cover story, City Paper’s Ella Feldman profiles six young people behind these new groups, who’ve so far enjoyed anonymity among the crowds of protesters.  

“The young people leading these new organizations envision a radically different future, one where community is everything, where neighbors look after each other, and where being who you are doesn’t mean your community looks out for you any less,” writes Feldman. 

Read the full story online.  

—Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)       

  • Police reform law upsets families of victims of police violence and the cop union. [WCP]

  • As of Aug. 12, D.C. reported one additional death related to COVID-19 and 65 new positive cases, bringing the total numbers of people to 594 and 13,024 respectively. [EOM] 

  • DC Health tells the Council that from a sample of 100 people with COVID-19, 24 ate at restaurants while they were contagious. [Post]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • D.C. will soon stop using the Days Inn Motel for emergency homeless shelter. [WCP]

  • Douglas Development looks to begin construction on “New City DC,” a 160,000-square-foot apartment building in Ivy City. [WBJ]

  • The DC BOE is not off to a good start for the General Election. [Twitter, Post]

  • DCHA has a new general counsel after Director Tyrone Garrett is accused of illegally firing its former lawyer. [Twitter]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • How four D.C. restaurants and bars are faring five months into the pandemic. [WCP]

  • Why COVID-19 is creating a sandwich craze. [Washingtonian]

  • These eateries are participating in the DC Black-Owned Restaurant Sweepstakes. [Eater DC]

  • Try pani puri at local Indian restaurants. [Post]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Local theaters are blossoming with at-home options—and they’ll need support to stay afloat. [WCP]

  • Liv Constantine’s The Wife Stalker is a worthwhile thriller, our critic writes. [WCP]

  • The National Book Festival goes virtual next month. [DCist]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • What’s it like to bet at D.C.’s first sportsbook?City Paper contributor Noah Frank went to Capital One Arena to find out. [WCP]

  • The Caps squandered a 2-0 lead in its 4-2 loss to the Islanders. Game 2 of the first-round series will be tomorrow night. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

  • The Wizards get one final chance to get a win in the bubble when they take on the Celtics today at noon. [Bullets Forever]

CITY LIGHTS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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