On June 20th, over 150 youth took back the streets of Washington D.C and thoroughly funked the war. The crowd of youth mostly came from local high schools and colleges, though some made came from as far away as Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a four hour trek, for the day's action. Folks gathered in Franklin Park and were joined by passerby's starting at 4pm that Friday to begin the fourth musical storming of the streets. Students waved glittery signs, handed out fliers, and put up Funk the War stickers throughout the K street business district. Beats were dropped instead of bombs, and the onlookers couldn't help but smile as the youth expressed their disgust with the war in its 6th year.

The mobile dance party began strong, with students pouring into the street, dancing, blowing (official DC sds) bubbles, and stickering every visible flat surface. The fourth installment Funk the War saw the most police repression yet as two protesters were momentarily arresested, including one organizer of the action. However, the spontaneous showing of support from students chanting "Let them go!" forced police to release both of the dancing protesters immediately with no charges. Students kept dancing throughout the streets of war profiteers for nearly two hours holding intersections as cars honked their support for the dancing mass.

The primary targets this time was 1401 K. St, home of multiple war profiteers such as Shell, Chevron, the Blackwater lobbying group, United Technology Corporation, ClearChannel and many others. The roving disco did swing by our old friends at the recruitment center. No only was the recruitment center already closed, but a line of police had been brought out to defend building from angry students armed with bubbles and stickers. Although the windows of the recruitment center did remain sticker free, a balloon filled with paint found its way to the center of the window, leaving a large blood red splatter that remained for several days. The demonstration was a total success, showing all of D.C. that the youth will not let up as long as this war continues and companies profit off of the suffering of soldiers and Iraqis alike. The procession drew smiles even from the police at times, and shows just what is possible with a amp and a determination as hot as the dance moves.

DC sds would like to thank everyone who came out to our second largest Funk the War to date, and helping us to build a vibrant student movement here in the heart of Empire.

-John Murray

MEDIA:
• Words:
  • Luke talks more about the pigs than he does of us

  • MeloFilms was apparently there...
  • a nod on Daily Kos
  • Iraq Moratorium website coverage
• Photos:
  • Jake Mayday's Flickr Account

  • Isis DC's Flickr Account
  • Wes Pennest's Flickr Account
• Video:
  • A dude with gnarly face tattoos took this video

  • This person really seems to have captured the spirit of the protest

Download Soundtrack to Funk the War 4 track listing available here
Download stickers used at this action