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Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

The District

In the shadow of the presidential election, Women’s Marchers seek hope from one another

In the shadow of the presidential election, Women’s Marchers seek hope from one another

The future of reproductive rights is murky. Still, activists are finding determination in solidarity.
Will Sytsma and Ben Ackman January 15, 2025

In the early afternoon on Nov. 9, 2024, protestors gathered at Washington’s Columbus Circle as the bass of a distant go-go band thumped through Union Station. They took photos with their signs by the...

Finding the jungle in the urban jungle

Finding the jungle in the urban jungle

Despite obstacles to access, students explore outdoor life in the district
Stevie Rosenfeld, Staff Member December 20, 2024

American University is in a city abundant with nature. Students can step off the metro and walk onto the green of the National Mall. The red line takes Washingtonians to both Fannie Mae, one of the district’s...

Riding the Red Line

Riding the Red Line

An artistic look at the Metro’s Red Line.
Claire Gover, Multimedia Producer December 13, 2024

Weaving into the city and back into Maryland, the Washington Metro’s Red Line travels through a variety of different neighborhoods, from the bustle of Union Station and Metro Center to the calm environment...

What's behind a name?

What’s behind a name?

The fight for redesignation of Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial.
Grace Hagerman and Marisa Álvarez December 5, 2024

A Greek-revival style mansion sits on top of a steep hill at Arlington Cemetery, overlooking the graves of those who have represented the U.S. in military uniform and their loved ones. In front of the...

Walking in history

Walking in history

Celebrating the niche histories of Washington communities.
Emma Pierce and Michelle Miramontes December 5, 2024

On Sept. 22, the sun shined on the open wood-floor reception area of the Sycamore & Oak venue in Congress Heights. Blown-up balloons of vibrant pink, orange, purple and green surrounded a baby-blue...

On the ballot

On the ballot

Ballot Initiative 83 seeks to implement ranked choice voting and semi-closed primaries in Washington.
Ava Ramsdale, Staff Editor December 3, 2024

Editor's Note: This article was reported and written before election day, but has been published after. Ballot Initiative 83 has since been approved. In 2017, Lisa D.T. Rice changed her party registration...

HFStival rocks Washington again

HFStival rocks Washington again

The iconic alternative music festival returns after a 13-year hiatus.
Kate Kessler, Staff Editor October 9, 2024

When the band Tonic came out on stage at HFStival on Sept. 21, frontman Emerson Hart had one request for the crowd. “Let’s go back to 1996, shall we?” he said, before launching into a guitar-heavy...

Art All Night takes over Dupont

Art All Night takes over Dupont

Dupont’s Art All Night showcased live performances, exhibits, and local artists at venues across the neighborhood.
Emma Pierce, Staff Editor October 9, 2024

On Sept. 27 and 28, Washington, D.C. hosted a series of Art All Night exhibitions across various neighborhoods. On Sept. 28, Dupont had Art All Night shows at the Dupont Circle, Dupont Underground, O Street...

Transgender students report feelings of safety, but incomplete support

Transgender students report feelings of safety, but incomplete support

In the face of nationwide hate crimes, students say decades-long work is not yet done
Will Sytsma, Staff Editor August 13, 2024

Content Warning: This article describes suicide and violence against transgender people.   When Gabe Michelangelo was weighing which colleges to apply to, his transgender identity was one of...

DCist shutdown leaves journalism community frustrated

DCist shutdown leaves journalism community frustrated

WAMU finance decision causes cuts with little notice
Ava Ramsdale, Staff Editor July 22, 2024

Journalists and community members said they were upset and outraged after the local news organization DCist was shut down by its parent company WAMU, which is owned by American University, in February. Martin...

DC’s fight for statehood continues after centuries of advocacy

DC’s fight for statehood continues after centuries of advocacy

Taxation without representation, race and lobbying central to statehood movement
Kathryn Gilroy, Managing Editor May 6, 2024

Citizens in Washington, D.C., have been fighting for statehood and representation in Congress for 219 years, but recently, the fight has expanded past the district's borders. Nebraska State Sen. Danielle...

Guided through Indigenous DC

Guided through Indigenous DC

AU professor's app highlights DC locations important to Indigenous history
Michelle Miramontes, Multimedia Director April 15, 2024

Prior to becoming the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., was home to the Nacotchtank (Anacostan) and Piscataway people, according to a map created by Native Land Digital, a Canadian-based nonprofit...

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