Ready Or Not: They're Ready, They're Coming!

At least twenty protesters participated in the die-in front of the Office of Police Complaints by McPherson Square

One by one they dropped to the ground with signs saying "Black And Brown Lives Matter" and "Demilitarize the Police".  They laid there for four and a half minutes in front of the McPherson Square Metro. The four minutes represents the four and a half hours the body of 18-year-old Michael Brown lied dead on the ground in Ferguson, Missouri.

This was one of the many protests that are happening across the country after the public heard Ferguson's police officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted.

The DC Chapter of the Black Youth Project 100 will hold protests for 28 hours.  BYP100 said every 28 hours a black person dies at the hands of a vigilante or a police officer. The activist group will hold two more protest today while handing out letters that ask for a police review board.


Khadijah McCaskill the organizing chair of the BYP100 said the letter has a lists of demands that BYP would like to see implemented at the Office of  Police Complaints.

Jonathan Lykes explains the Black Youth Project 100 and the institutional policies and systemic racism the affects
African-Americans.

"One of the main complaints and one of the main demands that we have is to create a citizen's review board or rather reinstate it because it was there before," said McCaskill "We'd like the citizen's review board to be reflective of D.C. as a whole, add communities that are adversely affected by police brutality."

McCaskill said in order to help eliminate incidents dealing with police brutality the black youth must "stay awake" and become aware. She said they must realize that this is "a movement not a moment" and that this movement requires a lot of persistence.

This is the letter of demands to the executive director of the Office of Police Complaints, Michael G. Tobbin

 Jonathan Lykes held a bullhorn while explaining the demands that public officials need to meet in order to keep black youth safe. The groups call and response could be heard loud and clear. They said "We're Ready, We're Coming". Two of the members of BYP100 delivered the letter during the demonstration. Some of the agendas in the letter included demilitarizing law enforcement, increasing community oversight and accountability over law enforcement.

"We understand that this is a long-term strategy to undo the systemic and intuitional racism in our society. Point Blank. So that's what we're hear to declare, the love and the appreciation of black life. And we're here to call out institutional policies," said Lykes.

BYP100 said they are a non violent organization and they are strategic. The organization started at the Metro Police Department early this morning and they will go to the city council in the afternoon.

There will be protest in Mt. Vernon Square at 7p.m. Protestors will march from Mt. Vernon Square to Chinatown.

Video of Jonathan Lykes talking in front of Office of Police Complaints after delivering the letter to Michael G. Tobbin's office.

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African Museum

Today I went to the African Museum

 














Love,
      The "Museum Lover" Phoenix

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DC Summer: We're Going To The Zoo

It's been awhile since I've went to the zoo. It's been years to be exact and the only time I remember was in elementary. A starfish was the only animal I remember touching. It's was pink, rough, sticky like suction cups but beautiful. So I woke up this morning and said it's free so why not and besides this was apart of my exploration phase of the summer.

DC's Redline takes you directly to the Woodley Park Zoo in Washington, DC. It's about a ten minute walk from Woodley Park Metro Stop and it's acoss from 7-eleven  store. I advise you to buy water and snacks from 7-eleven because the zoo is expensive.

If you are parents you will drop a pretty penny for ice cream, hamburgers or wraps for you dehydrated and hungry child. I broke down and bought an icea cream for $4.25 and that was painful as I swiped my card. The zoo is fairly large and it's free admission but if you would like to purchase a map then it's $2.00. Not bad for that price especially if you don't want to wonder and you know what animals you want to see.

After I purchased the map I wondered why I paid for it because there are sign everywhere pointing in various directions to see specific animals. But I'll look at the purchase as a souvenir even though I only look at the map when it was time to leave. I could't remember which way I came, maybe it was the dehydration. Overall I had fun looking at the animals.

Tips
1. Bring food/coolers into the zoo to save money
2. Buy a map just in case.
3. Wear walking shoes
4. Go to the zoo when it's not as hot in humid. Animals are sleep on hot and humid days.

Pictures

Love,

 The "Zooleger"Phoenix                                

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DC Summer: The Capitol

The Capitol is the heart of Washington, DC because everything else surrounds it. No matter where I go I can still see the capitol and I wondered what what was inside. I finally booked a tour but on the hottest day in DC. It was 95 degrees! This was a day I should have stayed inside but no I went to the Capitol. I got off the Metro too early and I had to walk a few blocks; it was torture but I survived and I learned about the building's history. I bought souvenirs from the store too. I have a book that describes the rooms, a small notepad with the picture of the Capitol on the cover and the emancipation proclamation. I wanted to purchase the ink pens but I didn't have enough money.

Tips
1. This is a government building and it's basically like being in an airport. No food or drinks. They have a cafeteria so if you're hungry grab some food.
2. Arrive early.
3. You can set up a tour online through your state representative or a standard Capitol tour. I suggest you do both.

Pictures

This is the welcoming cente

The ceiling of the Rotunda room

The statue of King Kamehameha, Hawaii's first king 

The Statue of Freedom on the top of the Capitol

The Capitol facing the water

The Capitol by the visiting center

Love,

 The "DC Tourer" Phoenix                                

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DC Journalist

As I packed up everything to go back home before I leave for my internship in DC, I felt fear. I will be interning in DC for two months at the American Public Health Association as a communications intern. This internship is great for me because I'm interested in health. Health has become something very vital to me because of my background. I was born premature and I have food allergies, eczema and seasonal allergies. Staying heathy is something I deal with daily. So, to incorporate health issues with my career is really a dream come true.

 I'm fearful because I've only been to DC once yet I'm excited to explore my career and test my limits as a journalist. This is a big step for me because this will be a life changing experience. I don't know what to expect. I haven't been this anxious in a while. It feels weird when I tell people where I'm interning because I can't believe it myself. I am really grateful for this opportunity for immense growth. May I achieve a stronger work ethic, curiosity, connections, life lessons. May I become a better journalist. I will post a weekly update every Friday. Wish me luck!

Love,

       The "Adventurous" Phoenix

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