Fists Up, Fight Back
Brittany Henderson-Fiestas, D.C. Protests' former communications coordinator and march leader, raises her fist as she plays a Malcolm X speech on 15th and R Street NW on Saturday, August 29. In that speech, Malcolm X calls attention to police brutality against Black people, an issue still vividly relevant today.
Fists Up, Fight Back is a photo essay about the birth and growth of D.C. Protests, a grassroots organization dedicated to fighting for racial equity in America. It was founded by seven strangers, who met on the streets of Washington, D.C. on June 3 after the death of George Floyd on May 25.
A woman passes by graffiti on the wall of the White House gift shop on H Street NW in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 30. During the days of protests after George Floyd's death in downtown, D.C., business's and government buildings' windows were smashed, walls were spray-painted and garbage was burned during massive protests over racism and police violence.
Justin Daniels, D.C. Protests' co-founder, cruises back and forth down 13th street NW in downtown Washington, D.C. during their march on Saturday, July 4.
A protester emerges from a cloud of tear gas fired by U.S. Park Police in Lafayette Square Park in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 31. Law enforcement repeatedly fired tear gas, pepper spray, flash-bang grenades and other dispersants in an attempt to control the crowd around the White House during the days of protests after the death of George Floyd.
Protesters and U.S. Secret Service agents struggle while trying to detain a protester in Lafayette Square Park in Washington, D.C. on Friday, May 29.
A marcher opens their umbrella, spray painted with ACAB, in the face of Metro Police Department bike officer K.E. Brown as the march passes through Sheridan Circle Park on their way to Georgetown on Saturday, August 8. ACAB stands for "All Cops are Bastards." It's a frequent chant at their protests and others.
U.S. Military Police protect Lafayette Square Park during several days of large protests outside of the White House in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 30 after the death of George Floyd. Local, federal and national law enforcement officers descended on the area around the park to restore order.
U.S. Park Police breaks up a crowd who tried to tear down the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square Park outside of the White House on Monday, June 22. Statues of public officials with racist histories have been coming down around the U.S. in recent years.
The They/Them Collective leads their first "FTP" March through Black Lives Matter Plaza on Saturday, July, 11. In addition to advocating for Black lives, the group also calls attention to the deaths of LGBTQ and non-binary Black, Brown and indigenous people of color at the hands of the police.
A protester hops on the hood of a D.C. Metro Police Department patrol car on Constitution avenue northwest during the They/Them Collective's march on Saturday, July 25. In addition to advocating for Black lives, the group also calls attention to the deaths of LGBTQ and non-binary Black, Brown and indigenous people of color at the hands of the police.
A child points a water gun at a D.C. Metro Police Department bike patrol officer as the officer goes in for a fist bump at Malcolm X Park in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, August 8 before a D.C. Protests' march.
Metro Police Department officers look out over a crowd of protesters outside of the Fourth District Police Station on Georgia Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, December 19. Protesters, including members of D.C. Protests, gathered there in memory of Karon Hylton, a 20-year-old D.C. resident who was struck and killed by a vehicle while on a moped after being chased by MPD officers.
An MPD officer is struck with an egg as they tried to surround DC Protests' march on Saturday, October 3. D.C. Protests' march had to do an emergency disperse after they went up 18th Street Northwest in Adams Morgan. They had to disperse after Justin heard police call in "10-44" on their radios, which indicates a riot. Once a gathering is determined to be unlawful, the police can do whatever they want to protesters.
A member of a "shield team," a group of volunteers armed with homemade shields used to block other protesters from chemical dispersants, decorates their shield with a partial quote from Assata Shakur's autobiography outside the fourth district police station in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, December 19. The whole quote reads - "It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains."
D.C. Protests' first march departed Malcolm X Park on Saturday, June 6. The group of seven strangers first met by happy accident three days prior. D.C. Protests continues to march, organize and do mutual aid around D.C.
Hilda yells at Metro Police Department officials planted outside of the Trump International Hotel on Constitution avenue during D.C. Protests' march on Saturday, June 13.
D.C. Protests' co-founder Drew Boddie raises his fist in solidarity as they leave Malcolm X during their first march as an organization on Saturday, June 6. Boddie and the other co-founders first met each other three days prior on June 3 after leading a march from the White House, to Trump Hotel, to the Capitol, to the Georgetown waterfront and back to the Capitol.
Marchers dance to music on the Francis Scott Key bridge, which connects Washington, D.C. to Arlington, VA, while taking a break during D.C. Protests' march on September 12. D.C. Protests frequently took long breaks on the Key bridge, to maximize their disturbance to public tranquility and make their voice heard.
Brittany Henderson-Fiestas laughs while going over chants in Malcolm X before their march on Saturday, October 3. Henderson-Fiestas
March leaders Brittney Henderson-Fiestas, left, and Haize, center, lead D.C. Protests' march into Georgetown on Saturday, September 12.
D.C. Protests' co-founder Drew Boddie, right, addresses marchers in Malcolm X Park alongside other members Justin Daniels, center, and Brittany Henderson-Fiestas, left, before their weekly protest on Saturday, September 12.
A motorist raises their fist in solidarity with D.C. Protests' march on Saturday, August 22. Marchers encouraged motorists to participate by raising their fists.
A man takes a break from his chess game to show his solidarity with D.C. Protests as they passed through DuPont Circle on Saturday, August 15.
Sergio hugs Bella Raymond-Paez when she arrived to Malcolm X Park before D.C. Protests march on August 29.
Justin Daniels, Bella Raymond-Paez and Laurel Haskill all watch a video projected on the wall of the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial library in downtown Washington, D.C. on Saturday, September 19. The video, filmed by Andre Kelly, featured video portraits of those arrested during a direct action in the Adams Morgan neighborhood on August 13. Most of those arrested by MPD had their charges dropped within 48 hours.
Brittney Henderson-Fiestas, center, and Drew Boddie, right, lead D.C. Protests' march on Saturday, September 26.
Employees at Aloho stand in solidarity with DC Protests as they passed down 18th St. NW on Saturday, October 3. The bar and its employees have been repeatedly welcoming to DC Protests, They/Them Collective's FTP March and other protests that pass through Adams Morgan.
Justin warms his hands over Brittany's cup of tea before D.C. Protests' left Malcolm X Park on Saturday, October 31.
Bella lights the candles on Justin's 24th birthday cupcake at A League of Her Own on November 6. That bar has been a safe haven for protesters with D.C. Protests, as well as the They/Them Collective, providing space for marchers to hide from the police if they feel unsafe while trying to leave.
The sunset casts long shadows on DC Protests as they march down 13th street NW on Saturday, September 19.
A discarded sign lies on the ground at Black Lives Matter Plaza on June 22
Justin Daniels takes a breather during D.C. Protests' march on Saturday, August 15.
Ransom Miller carries his bike over the Key Bridge back to Georgetown. DC Protest typically uses a group of bikes and skateboards to block off streets and keep people from trailing behind the protester.
Derrick Walker takes a rest between marches on August 28.
Kat takes a rest on Virginia Avenue NW when D.C. Protests took a break during their march on Saturday, August 22.
Brittany Henderson-Fiestas hugs her wife, Aeleen after D.C. Protests' march on Saturday, September 2.
Bella Raymond-Paez, D.C. Protests co-founder, gets treatment from a medic after being struck in the head with a D.C. Metro Police Department bicycle at Black Lives Matter Plaza DC during an Abolish Police direct action on Sunday, August 30.
Drew Boddie embraces Bella Raymond-Paez after a tense moment during DC Protests' march on Saturday, October 3. The march, which was a collaboration between DC Protests and 2 other organizations, had to be called off suddenly after Justin heard MPD bike patrol call in "1044" on their radios. This call signifies that the police determined a protest has a riot.
Justin Daniels takes a drag on a cigarettes before he, and other members of D.C. Protests joined the They/Them Collective's FTP March on October 24.
D.C. Protests march passes through northeast D.C. on Saturday, September 26.
Cass carries Bella Raymond-Paez to a makeshift dance floor during jail support outside the U.S. Courthouse on October 5, 2020. Jail support is always carried out the day after a comrade is arrested. People wait outside with food, coffee, shoelaces and more.
Ella Azoulay, center, and Justin Daniels, right, prepare food at a volunteer's apartment for D.C. Protests' mutual aid on Saturday, October 10. The organization stepped up to serve food for the unhoused population at DuPont Circle when the They/Them Collective, who usually does this, was not able after being raided by U.S. Park Police.
Co-founders Bella Raymond-Paez and Justin Daniels organize meals before D.C. Protests left Malcolm X Park for DuPont Circle on Saturday, October 10. The organization stepped up to serve food for the unhoused population at DuPont Circle when the They/Them Collective, who usually does this, was not able after being raided by U.S. Park Police.
Volunteers with D.C. Protests take complimentary shots in League of Her Own bar on 18th Street in Adams Morgan after D.C. Metro Police chased down protesters when the They/Them Collective March dispersed. This has happened on more than one occasion, going so far as to follow people with patrol cars and spotlights. Bartenders and managers of various bars and restaurants have allowed protesters and media to seek refuge in their businesses until they can get a ride.
Volunteers sanitize peoples' hands before serving meals at DuPont Circle on Saturday, October 10. The organization stepped up to serve food for the unhoused population at DuPont Circle when the They/Them Collective, who usually does this, was not able after being raided by U.S. Park Police.
D.C. Protests co-founder Justin Daniels reacts to being pepper-sprayed by officers from the D.C. Metro Police Department on I Street NW on Saturday, December 12.
A counter-protester lands a punch on a member of the neo-fascist group the Proud Boys in downtown Washington, D.C. on Saturday, December 12. The group, which is known for politically-motivated violence, was one of many pro-Trump groups that descended on the city when the electoral college certified the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. They made an appearance a month earlier at the "Million MAGA March" where members of the group allegedly stabbed a journalist and two protesters and tried to stab another.