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Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

A band performs at Bossa Bistro + Lounge.

Latin dancers form community across Washington

Some leaders and participants of dance spaces say the locations provide fellowship through movement.
Sara De Almeida, Staff Writer, Multimedia Contributor and PR Staff Member April 27, 2026

In a small back room in Northwest Washington, during the frigid month of January, the air was thick with laughter. Purple and red lights illuminated the space, highlighting the drum, saxophone and cowbell...

A Metropolitan Police Department car sits on Massachusetts Avenue on Feb. 6.

Trump’s Takeover of Local Police Was New. D.C. Police Departments’ Rocky Relationship with Black Residents Wasn’t.

Despite an increase in fear, underlying problems in MPD’s policing of Washington’s Black residents already existed, data and advocate interviews show.
Will Sytsma and Stevie Rosenfeld April 27, 2026

Five days after President Donald Trump took control of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department, the abolitionist organization Harriet’s Wildest Dreams posted an Instagram video of a Metro Transit...

Lawyers can prosecute crimes as hate crimes at the D.C. Superior Court, but experts say they may not because of evidence complications and legal strategies.

Washington’s hate crimes law infrequently delivers justice

For over a decade, charges under D.C.’s Bias-Related Crimes Act remained few. In lieu of legal solutions, some groups are fighting hate at its roots.
Sydnee Patak and Emma Pierce April 21, 2026

On Aug. 17, 2024, Christian Dingus and his partner entered the Shake Shack by Dupont Circle alongside a group of friends. But after Dingus and his partner shared a kiss while waiting for their food, a...

AU removes online records of pre-Alger presidents’ announcements

AU removes online records of pre-Alger presidents’ announcements

The university removed old announcements of protest policy changes, updates on its strategic plans and condemnations of hate incidents as part of routine, ongoing website updates, the university said.
Will Sytsma, Elias Garcia, and Joseph Albushies March 11, 2026

American University removed 286 online records of reports and announcements from university presidents before AU President Jon Alger in recent weeks, AWOL found in a records search. The “President’s...

"Sacred spaces"

“Sacred spaces”

What the introduction of Bill 26-20 means for D.C.’s historic Black cemeteries.
Sydnee Patak, Assistant Editor April 21, 2025

Civil War veterans, legislators from the Reconstruction Era, Black artists and some of the first Black doctors in the country are just a few of the people buried in Washington’s historic Woodlawn Cemetery. “The...

Author Monique Truong and designer Thái Nguyễn read from their newly released children’s book, “Mai’s Áo Dài,” wearing custom made áo dài crafted by Nguyễn. They were joined by a young guest named Mai.

Tết celebration highlights food and fashion

The Vietnam Society hosted an event highlighting the culture’s rich traditions of fashion, food and community.
Mira Liu, Multimedia Contributor April 2, 2025

The Vietnam Society hosted a celebration of Tết, or Vietnamese New Year on Feb. 15, bringing together fashion, literature and food to explore the significance of Vietnamese heritage. Held at the Martin...

Global Federation of Chinese Businesswomen in Baltimore members holding their banner to start the parade.

Lunar New Year Parade takes over Chinatown

Families from the Washington area gathered to celebrate community, culture and history.
Daisy Bateman and Jacob Saucier February 4, 2025

Crowds lined the streets of the district’s Chinatown on Sunday for the annual Lunar New Year Parade, a vibrant celebration marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake. The event was hosted by the Chinese...

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...

Graduate students from WCL commemorate Orange Shirt Day

Graduate students from WCL commemorate Orange Shirt Day

The event was organized by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the WCL Native American Law Students Association
Conny Galvez, Multimedia Producer October 30, 2024

On Sept. 30, students from the Washington College of Law gathered in front of the WCL Capitol Building Front Lawn to observe Orange Shirt Day, a Canadian day of memorial created to recognize the effects...

Guided through Indigenous DC

Guided through Indigenous DC

AU professor's app highlights DC locations important to Indigenous history
Michelle Miramontes, Multimedia Contributor 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...

Photo courtesy of Priya Doshi.

Women’s History Month and AU’s Priya Doshi place focus on DEI

Associate dean for faculty and inclusive excellence affects DEI campaigns and PR classes
Julia Cucchiara, Staff Writer March 29, 2024

During her time in public relations, Priya Doshi noticed a lack of gender diversity in who strategic messages were engaging as their intended audience.  “I think there's always this natural inclination...

Lunar New Year celebrated in Chinatown

Lunar New Year celebrated in Chinatown

Attendees buy from local vendors and watch performances for Lunar New Year of the Dragon
Natalie Monga, Multimedia Director February 21, 2024

D.C. residents celebrated the Lunar New Year Feb. 11 with parades that included groups from across the district.  Chinatown was decorated with red and yellow banners as several dances, songs and other...

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