Politics - AWOL

Charges, Contracts and Campaigns: The Saga of Ward 8’s Council Seat

D.C. Councilmember Trayon White’s alleged acceptance of bribes led to his expulsion – and an unclear political future in Ward 8

PJ Cunningham, Staff Writer • May 18, 2025

Former Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White is running for his seat again after councilmembers unanimously voted him out on Feb. 4 following bribery charges. White announced his re-election campaign in...

“Hands Off” protest targets Trump’s second-term agenda

Thousands gathered on a cloudy day in D.C. as part of the growing “Hands Off!” movement against recent presidential actions.

Daisy Bateman, Multimedia Contributor • April 25, 2025

Thousands of people rallied around the Washington Monument on the afternoon of April 6 to protest actions by the current Trump administration, including the mass firing of federal workers, immigration...

Latinos En Acción lead walk out for migrants

Protesting students demanded American University create a sanctuary campus.

Conny Galvez and Ben Ackman • April 25, 2025

On March 3, students walked out of classes to the quad in support of immigrants. Latinos En Acción, a club at American University that advocates for immigrant rights and promotes Latine community on campus,...

Eyes from above

Uncovering the National Cathedral’s open-air secrets.

Vanessa Levins, Multimedia Director • April 22, 2025

The Darth Vader grotesque is just one of over 1,400 grotesques surrounding the Cathedral’s exterior, in addition to 112 gargoyles, according to Bloomberg Connects Cathedral page. In a 2023 NBC Washington...

Federal government has revoked some AU international student visas

Administrators said they will not be making a statement or announcing further details.

Ben Ackman, Multimedia Producer • April 22, 2025

Some international students at American University have had their visas revoked by the federal government, according to Acting Provost Vicky Wilkins. Wilkins first told community members that some student...

Building history: Women’s Suffrage Monument approved for the National Mall

The first monument on the Mall honoring women’s history projected to be complete by 2033.

Stevie Rosenfeld, Staff Writer • April 18, 2025

Before leaving office, former President Joe Biden signed a bill approving the construction of a Women’s Suffrage Monument on the National Mall, the first monument on the Mall to honor the suffrage movement. The...

Georgetown students show solidarity at rally for detained professor

The demonstration came after the Georgetown professor was arrested by Homeland Security officials for alleged antisemitic and pro-Hamas speech.

Ben Ackman, Multimedia Producer • April 11, 2025

Chants echoed between buildings at Georgetown University on March 23 as keffiyeh-clad protestors streamed down Library Walk. The demonstrators were attending a rally in support of Badar Khan Suri, a...

Behind the screen: social media fuels political divides for DC students

Students report fear and hate on campus due to politics online.

Sage Collis, Staff Writer • March 12, 2025

Sophia Joseph, a senior at American University, published an open letter on Sept. 17, 2024, responding to an Instagram post by the American University College Republicans. The AUCR Instagram post said,...

Protestors reject DOGE and Elon Musk

Prominent lawmakers and activists led an anti-Musk demonstration outside the U.S. Treasury Department.

Ben Ackman, Benjamin Austin, and Daisy Bateman • February 10, 2025

On Tuesday, protestors gathered outside the U.S. Treasury Department on 15th Street Northwest to protest Elon Musk’s influence over the government agency. Musk heads the Department of Government Efficiency,...

Thousands rally at the Lincoln Memorial days before Trump’s inauguration

Protestors from around the country gathered in Washington to voice their concerns for the new presidency at the People’s March.

Benjamin Austin, Conny Galvez, and Natalie Monga • February 7, 2025

Thousands rallied on Jan. 18 at the People’s March in Washington to advocate for women’s rights ahead of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Activists showed up in support of various...

In downtown Washington, President Trump’s supporters celebrate, shiver and gloat

Thousands endured long lines and frigid temperatures celebrating Trump’s second inauguration.

Ben Ackman and Benjamin Austin • January 22, 2025

Thousands of Trump supporters gathered in downtown Washington on Monday for President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. In a city where less than 7% voted for the Republican, Trump supporters stood...

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...