DC Summer of Freedom
Freedom is for all of us
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Freedom is for all of us •
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, communities across the country are reflecting on the meaning of freedom and democracy. Here in DC, that reflection carries particular urgency.
Our Freedom Matters
More than 700,000 DC residents—most of them Black—live without full voting representation in Congress. At a moment when the nation is celebrating its democratic ideals, the people who call the nation's capital home are still denied full participation in them.
This summer, Rising Organizers and partners across the District are launching DC's Summer Campaign for Freedom: a month-long series of events that use culture, art, music, conversation, and action to elevate DC's story, build community, and strengthen the movement for DC statehood and full voting rights.
Our city will soon be decorated with flags, fireworks, and celebrations of freedom. We'll join that celebration with events that explore the gap between America's promise and its practice—and the role all of us can play in shaping the next 250 years.
This series of events begins with celebrations of Juneteenth, the first moment America could claim to be a home of the free. It continues through our central event, FreedomFest on June 27th, and culminates with a tour and panel examining the past, present, and future of freedom on July 18th.
Read on for more details, and we’ll see you out there.
How we get free
Join us for a month of free activities. No pun intended, but we don’t mind it either.
Thursday, June 18
District Bridges Juneteenth | 3 - 9 PM
Harrison Park
📍 1330 V St. NW
Hosted by District Bridges. More information here.
Friday, June 19
ONE DC Juneteenth Festival
Black Workers and Wellness Center
📍 2500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Hosted by ONE DC. More information and register here.
Saturday, June 27
FreedomFest + Canvass
For our core event, we are hosting two canvass launches and our celebration of DC arts and culture, FreedomFest.
FreedomFest will be at 2 PM on June 27 at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, and brings together DC artists, comedians, and activists for an afternoon of live entertainment, activism, and community.
Both before and after FreedomFest we’ll also bring volunteers to speak to tourists on the Mall to speak with them about what freedom means and how they can support our freedom here in the District.
10 AM - First Canvass Launch
2 PM - DC FreedomFest Celebration feat. Long Live Go Go, Comedians Haywood Turnipseed Jr. and Clyde Thompson Jr., arts activities, and more
4 PM - Second Canvass Launch
📍 Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
All canvassing volunteers will be required to complete a training before participating. FreedomFest is open to all and does not require registration.
Hosted by Rising Organizers.
Friday, July 10
“What Freedom Means to Me” Final Canvass
📍 Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
All canvassing volunteers will be required to complete a training before participating.
Saturday, July 18
Freedom Isn’t Free Tour + Panel
10:45-12 - Free Tour of Frederick Douglass House
📍 Frederick Douglass House
1411 W St SE
12:30-2 - Freedom Isn’t Free: Social Movements and the Fight for American Democracy
📍 Busboys and Poets Anacostia
Hosted by Rising Organizers. Register for the tour or panel here.
Who we are
DC’s Summer of Freedom is hosted by Rising Organizers, in partnership with District Bridges, ONE DC, and organizations across the region. Want to partner with us or support DC’s Summer of Freedom? Shoot us a quick note at info@risingorganizers.org and we’ll get back to you.
You can learn more about Rising Organizers and our core programs on our website: