Free DC

BREAKING: Newly released footage from a home security camera in DC shows three National Guard members tackle a woman to the ground, put her in handcuffs, and detain her seemingly without any justification or provocation.

The footage, which submitted to on June 2, shows three male National Guard soldiers approach a woman while she sits alone on a bench outside her home near Truxton Circle. As she attempts to walk back into her home, the soldiers physically surround her and block her from leaving. On the audio she says clearly, “You have absolutely no authority to detain me” and “get…away from me” before screaming for help as the soldiers tackle her to the ground and handcuff her. With her hands restrained behind her back, a soldier pins her to the ground and she says, “You guys came onto my property — my private property.”

On at least three additional occasions in the last two weeks, National Guard soldiers have handcuffed and detained people in DC, in some cases with absolutely no cause. National Guard members are prohibited from conducting domestic policing and they do not have legal authority to place people under arrest. However, these incidents demonstrate a clear and extremely concerning pattern about the National Guard’s behavior and potential directives.

On May 15, Trump’s Director of the U.S. Marshals Service announced his intent to “surge” the number of National Guard members in DC up to 5,000. There are currently approximately 3,450 National Guard members deployed in DC today — up from 2,500 just over a week ago.

We need everyone to recognize that DC is under attack from an occupying military force. The National Guard are not here to lower crime — they are here to commit crime. The governors who have National Guard deployed to DC are actively contributing to an illegal and unjustified occupation that is becoming increasingly dangerous to people here and which could ultimately result in seditious interference in the peaceful transfer of power. We call on Congress to immediately grant DC’s mayor the authority to command the DC National Guard, and we call on all governors with National Guard in DC to re

Are you planning to vote on Election Day (June 16), be at the polls, or just want to know what Election Protection work involves?

Our DC Election Protection Trainings are required for volunteers and are open to everyone. These trainings will take place virtually on Monday, June 8 or Tuesday, June 9, both at 7 PM. The same material will be presented at each session.

Register at bit.ly/election-protection-dc

DC Voters, you should know about our Election Protection phone line: 866-OUR-VOTE, 866-687-8683

Election Protection ( ) is the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection effort. Composed of over 300 local, state, and national partner organizations across the country, Election Protection works year-round to protect voters and our fair and democratic elections.

Voter suppression tactics are just as relevant here as they are in the South. It’s important that we vote early, if you can.

Election Protection trainings will be held on June 8 and 9 and are required for volunteers but open to everyone.

Sign up to become an Election Day volunteer or attend an Election Protection training at freedcproject.org/electionprotection