CELEBRATING D.C. EMANCIPATION DAY, CHAMPIONING STATEHOOD, AND A CALL TO ACTION
D.C. Emancipation Day commemorates the 1862 signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act by President Lincoln. The Act abolished slavery in the nation's capital, freeing over 3,000 enslaved people, eight months before the national Emancipation Proclamation.
Celebrated annually since 1866 on April 16th, it became a public legal holiday of the District in 2005.
While the day is one of celebration it is also one of awareness, accountability, and action for the autonomy of D.C. to self govern and its citizens to have equitable representation in our democracy.
We honored the day by attending a special occasion honoring Anise Jenkins – an American activist in the D.C. Statehood movement and executive director of Stand Up! For Democracy in DC (the original Free DC organization).
Held in Bundy’s Secret Garden at the Go-Go Museum, the event recognized Jenkins for her long standing leadership and activism, giving her flowers while she’s still here. A panel of elders and present day torch bearers also spoke to the importance of carrying on the mission of the movement through educating ourselves and the youth, non-cooperation through direct civic and political engagement, collective effort, strategic organizing, and leveraging all of our skills, talent and passion through community activism. This is the legacy of work that has for so long been led by Anise Jenkins.
The event concluded with a live music performance by youth GoGo band Next Gen Krank and a call to action on May Day, Friday, May 1st.
MAY DAY - A Call to Action:
The movement for a Free D.C. is mobilizing! We’ll be joining them alongside a coalition of organizations, advocacy groups, and fellow D.C. residents onFriday, May 1, 2026 – DC refuses to cooperate: No work. No school. No shopping. Get ready, get organized, and join the day of action. Together we’ll make it clear that DC’s workers, our communities, and our political power are worth fighting for — and anyone who comes for those will have to come through us.Make the pledge and learn more at MAYDAYDC.ORG.
May Day Noon March and Rally
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Location: Washington Monument (map)
The highlight of the day. Meet us at the Washington Monument at 12 PM — and bring your Crew.
May Day Evening Concert 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: TBA
This powerful day of action will conclude with some celebration and joy. This concert and speaking event will be a chance to dance, organize, and celebrate the beauty and power of DC’s people, workers, and communities.
Vintage Vinyl & Friends Pop-Up
Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 12PM - 6PM
Wishing Wellness, 406 Fifth St NW, WDC
We’re excited to pop-up alongside Blú– Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, Rhythm Lingo Vinyl Records, and our hosts, Wishing Wellness Dispensary.
Shop a curation of our D.C. centric, Home Rule, and Statehood merch, grab some coffee, and a little something to put in the air before heading over to the D.C. Emancipation Day celebration happening just a short distance away at Freedom Plaza.
We’ll be offering discounts on our merch so you can represent at the upcoming May Day rally and march on Friday, April 1st!
For more information and to RSVP visit (Vintage Vinyl & Friends)
