In 1966, Marion Barry led the "Free DC Movement" which supported Home Rule for the District. At this time, Congress appointed government officials in DC and the residents were not able to elect the candidates into office. Through this organization Barry led a bus boycott to protest fare increases, which greatly affected the black residents.
For more information, view Marion Barry: A Leader for Change in DC.

The Free DC Movement
Latest from Anise Jenkins
History
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Obituary - Lillian J. Huff
Lillian J. Huff (Age 87) peacefully transitioned from this life on Monday, September 17, 2018. She was a community activist and leader throughout the city especially in the Lamond Riggs Civic Association, political activist on the DC Statehood Committee and a leader in the DC Federation of Democratic Women's Organization.
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"Statehood is Far More Difficult" The Struggle for D.C. Self-Determination, 1980-2017
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Remembering Our Fallen Activists of Stand Up / Free DC
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Activists challenge and reshape our social and political consciousness.
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Stand Up! / Free DC! awarded grant from Diverse City Fund
The Diverse City Fund works to nurture community leaders and grassroots projects which are acting to transform DC into a more just, vibrant place to live. Through their grantmaking, they identify, support and connect people in communities of color who are engaged in change work. The DCF supports the development of community-level social change by…
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Julius Hobson That One Time the Founder of the DC Statehood Party Threatened to Release ‘Possum-Size’ Rats in Georgetown
Here’s a bit of D.C. history you may not have heard about, courtesy of the WETA blog Boundary Stones. In the 1960s, D.C. had a rat problem, particularly in its poorer neighborhoods.
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Stand Up / Free DC Mourns the Passing of Rick Malachi
Members of Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC) are in shock at the sudden passing of one of its youngest, but most committed founding members - DuJuan Ricardo (Rick) Malachi!
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Passing of Acie Byrd, Jr.
I first met Acie Byrd, Jr. when I joined what was then just a group of people who were organizing out of outrage against the stripping of the powers of the local government by the United States Congress in July of 1997; basically in retribution to the re-election of Mayor…
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Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC) was founded in 1997 to help 700,000 residents of our nation’s capital achieve full and equal citizenship rights. Stand Up! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax-deductible. Checks and money orders may also be mailed to Stand Up! (Free DC) via Executive Director Anise Jenkins at 4933 - 1st Street NW, Suite #3, Washington, DC 20011 or via Dorothy Height Station, Post Office Box 2152 Washington, DC 20013-2152. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!