“The Dupont Circle Holiday Market keeps the lights on for us when the slow season hits and allows us to reinvest into the business,” said Alejandro Buxton, founder of Smell of Love Candles, a local business that participated in last year’s market and returned this year.

The Dupont Circle Holiday Market opened Nov. 14 on New Hampshire Avenue NW, drawing shoppers onto the 1500 block. After years of competition from online retail and shifting work patterns, the market has become a way to pull foot traffic back to neighborhood streets.

Buxton, who hand-makes candles in his basement while attending school, said the money he earns from the holiday market helps support a scholarship fund he created for student with disabilities.

“Customers who come to shop at Dupont should know that they’re not just buying a candle, they’re buying their personality in a jar, but they’re also supporting my dreams and college fund,” Buxton said.

Meriam Cherif, founder of Alyssa Bazaar, which sells handmade olive-wood kitchenware and pottery, prepared more inventory this year after learning what customers liked at last year’s market.

“I understand the customer now,” Cherif said, adding that the market gives local small businesses a chance to feel the customer and interact in ways online sales cannot.

Jenilee Hurley, co-owner and chief sales officer of ETHICGOODS, a D.C.-based jewelry company, joined the market for the first time this year to connect with customers beyond her primarily online business.

“We don’t get a chance to interact with those who wear our jewelry” through online sales, Hurley said. “We love being able to connect with our customers and the community.”

The market, organized by Diverse Markets Management in partnership with the Dupont Circle Business Improvement District, runs through Dec. 23, closing only on Nov 27. for Thanksgiving and on Dec. 1.

This year’s location on the 1500 block of New Hampshire Avenue NW marks a change from last year’s site on 19th Street.

Unlike the larger DowntownDC Holiday Market, which hosts vendors from several states, the Dupont Circle market is intentionally smaller and limited to D.C.-based businesses.

One visitor who declined to give her name said she and her friend chose to visit Dupont Circle specifically because they knew the market was opening there.

“We saw that the Dupont market was starting this week, so we decided to come walk around and then grab dinner nearby,” she said. “It’s a nice excuse to spend a little more time in the neighborhood.”

ANC 2B02 Commissioner Jeff Rueckgauer said after construction on the Connecticut Avenue “deckover” project made 19th Street unavailable, he worked with the BID and Diverse Markets Management to move the event to the 1500 block of New Hampshire Avenue, which he described as an “underutilized” commercial street.

He said the crowds coming to the holiday tents are bound to provide a boost to many nearby businesses, especially those coping with construction along Connecticut Avenue.

For vendors, the market’s value extends beyond sales. Buxton said the long hours feel easier when surrounded by other small-business owners facing the same slow season. Hurley described the market as a chance to “share the stories of our artisans and celebrate the season together.”

Despite logistical challenges—Buxton mentioned preparing inventory around the clock while accommodating his school schedule, and Cherif noted that opening day preparation proved more stressful than producing inventory—vendors expressed enthusiasm about connecting with customers who value locally made goods.

“It’s truly a little community that keeps us going through the slowest weeks of the year,” Buxton said.

For more event information, visit  at Dupont Circle.

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The District Department of Transportation project will bring a plaza over the Connecticut Avenue underpass between the Dupont Circle and Q Street, NW.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who represents Ward 2, said in an email statement that she has worked closely with DDOT to ensure the needs of residents and businesses are addressed throughout the process. 

She described the project as transformative and said she is “excited for it to bring a new public space for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID) has said local businesses are eager for the project to move forward. A BID spokesperson told 91���� that, at a meeting last week, many business owners expressed excitement about the improvements and the potential for more visitors.

Vincent Slatt, a commissioner and treasurer with ANC 2B03, said the idea of a deckover is not new.

“They’ve been talking about decking over that hole for decades — 30, 40 years,” he said. “Now it’s finally happening, along with the Connecticut Avenue streetscape project to fix sidewalks, trees, and curbs.”

Neighborhood questions

The gap between official enthusiasm and community awareness highlights what may become the project’s greatest challenge: questions left unanswered even as construction begins.

A by the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) laid out four concerns about the project, including questions about air quality, accessibility, maintenance, and construction impacts.

In its resolution, DCCA warned that the deck could trap vehicle exhaust in the underpass without a clear ventilation plan. The same resolution noted that while planners have mentioned updated sidewalks and ramps, the design lacks dedicated drop-off zones and parking that would make the plaza accessible to residents with disabilities.

Slatt said he worries about who will take responsibility for cleaning, security, and upkeep once the deckover is complete. The DCCA resolution also questioned whether the District has allocated a dedicated budget for long-term maintenance.

German Vigil, a public information officer with DDOT, told 91���� via email that the underpass already has a ventilation infrastructure and that reinforced mesh near the circle will allow for air circulation once the deck is built. 

Vigil said the project will follow Americans With Disabilities Act standards, the city’s ADA Transition Plan and the Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines, as well as DDOT’s own Design & Engineering Manual, Public Realm Design Manual and Streetscape Guidelines to ensure accessibility. 

He confirmed that the plaza will be maintained as public space, with the Dupont Circle BID partnering in programming and upkeep.

Regarding construction impacts, Vigil said businesses on the plaza will remain open during regular hours, with pedestrian access, deliveries and trash pickup continuing without interruption.

The uncertainty reflects a gap between the deckover supporters’ optimism and the day-to-day concerns of businesses facing potential disruptions during construction. 

Several employees of businesses along Connecticut Avenue told 91���� they had little information about the project. 

In a , salon owner Sandy Campbell said she believed the project will ultimately be positive, but added, “it’s going to cause congestion in the area … probably a year and a half of some hard times.”

, a neighborhood advocacy group, also has criticized the project. 

The group, which formed to oppose DDOT’s plans to remove car lanes and add bike lanes farther north, argues that the deckover construction will further strain the city’s already congested roads. 

Save Connecticut Avenue warned in an April report that lane closures would “pile on to D.C.’s traffic woes,” disrupting drivers well beyond Dupont Circle. 

The group declined to provide further comment when contacted by 91����.

In addition, interviews at Dupont Circle suggest many residents and pedestrians are unaware of what is about to unfold. 

“I’ve never heard of it,” said Cassey Elder, a Dupont Circle resident, as she walked her dog near the circle. “If there are picnic tables, it could be great.” 

, held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church on Connecticut Avenue NW, shows that residents pressed DDOT on how many parking spaces would be eliminated and whether local businesses supported the project.

“Small minority of loud voices”

“It’s not everyone who is upset,” Slatt said. “It’s a very small minority of loud voices — the classic NIMBY opposition.” 

Most residents either don’t know about the project or don’t care, Slatt said, adding that the D.C. government has not been good at sharing information, which amplifies the objections of this small group.

“It might be good for pedestrians,” said Austin Chavez, who lives in another D.C. neighborhood. “But so many streets are already closing. It may not turn out the way people expect.”

According to DDOT’s , construction is expected to last two years, with completion projected for 2027. 

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But even as the celebration returns, the neighborhood that built it faces mounting challenges.

Dupont Circle faces safety concerns, rising rents and costs, and demographic shifts that have displaced many LGBTQ+ residents. Once the center of LGBTQ+ life in Washington D.C., the neighborhood’s role as a safe haven is under strain, even as the High Heel Race endures as a symbol of resilience.

“It’s definitely been a challenging summer,” said Eli Downs, general manager of JR’s. “With the National Guard coming in and ICE raids happening, there’s a lot of tension. Even I went out less.” 

Downs said the anxiety reflects a wider unease across the city.

At Annie’s Paramount Steak House on 17th Street, NW, open since 1948, general manager Georgia Katinas said the restaurant’s role has remained steady. 

“We consider ourselves an informal community center for the LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “We are a safe space for all and always will be.”

Other owners strike a similar note of stability. Mitchell Aaronson, vice president of Cairo Wine & Liquor on 17th Street NW, said his shop continues to see loyal customers. “It’s an extra bonus to us to be in this neighborhood, and we see a lot of support from the community,” said Aaronson. 

Yet costs remain a challenge for small businesses. Downs noted that rents have risen sharply across D.C. and alcohol prices are climbing, making it harder to operate. 

“Running a small business is hard right now,” he said. “Each day comes with a new challenge. But we’re not going anywhere.”

Vincent Slatt, an advisory neighborhood commissioner and volunteer director of archiving at the Rainbow History Project, recalled the High Heel Race’s early days.

 “The High Heel Race started in 1987 as about 24 men dressed in costumes running from JR’s to Annie’s,” he said. 

Over time the contest grew into one of Washington’s most visible LGBTQ+ celebrations, drawing thousands of spectators each year to 17th Street. Contestants sprint in elaborate costumes and high heels, cheered on by thousands who line the sidewalks. 

Slatt said the neighborhood has changed dramatically in the past two decades.

 “When I moved here 20 years ago, this corner was full of clubs,” he said. “Now it’s condos I can’t afford. My rent keeps going up. I’m being forced out of my neighborhood by the rich people who can afford to buy a condo where I used to go dancing.”

His experience reflects a broader trend. The average rent in Dupont Circle is about $2,565 a month, according to RentCafe, which tracks rental markets nationwide. Home prices have also climbed, with the neighborhood’s median price at about $475,000, according to real estate brokerage Redfin.

He added that the impact goes beyond nightlife. “LGBT seniors are disproportionately affected by our housing crisis because many seniors had a lifetime of employment discrimination,” he said. “Many are single and childless, and they have no children to help support them.” 

Youth face similar struggles.

 “LGBT youth are a disproportionate number of runaway teenagers,” Slatt said. “In D.C., we’re about 11 or 12% of the population, but it’s 30 to 40% of the teenagers that are runaways.”

For many, Dupont Circle still represents a historic center of LGBTQ+ life in the capital, even as nightlife and demographics have shifted.

The High Heel Race illustrates this D.C. officials estimated last year’s crowd at more than 10,000, underscoring the race’s status as both celebration and protest. 

But residents and business leaders say the question remains: Can Dupont Circle continue to serve as both a celebration and a sanctuary?

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While experts said it would be politically impractical for lawmakers on the Hill to meddle with local political affairs, continued threats to the District’s home rule by the Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress have left advocates apprehensive.

After the Dobbs decision in 2022, the precedent that established access to abortion was overturned by the Supreme Court, making it so that each state could independently legislate around abortion.

The District, through its local policy, has complete legal access to abortion without gestational age limits.

However, advocates are now faced with a series of threats to Washington’s political autonomy. On Feb. 6, Congressional Republicans announced legislation that would dissolve home rule in Washington and reestablish federal jurisdiction over the District. 91���� two weeks later, Trump stated that the federal government should “take over” the running of Washington, according to

This was followed by a controversy over the District’s budget, where initial provisions in the Congressional spending bill would have potentially resulted in a $1 Billion cut to the city’s public services. Both the budget and home rule issues remain unresolved in the House and Senate.

As part of the home rule system, the District does not have statehood but has its own local government that Congress maintains oversight of. Congress can dismiss all proposed laws.

Abortion advocates like Alisha Dingus, the executive director of the D.C. Abortion Fund, said she is concerned about further federal meddling in local policies, given how ideologically opposed the city is to the present administration.

“One of the things that we worry about is them testing out some of their more radical anti-abortion policies on the District because we don’t have [statehood] protections,” Dingus said.

However, the Policy Counsel for the D.C. chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Melissa Wasser, said that there aren’t any immediate signs that Trump or Congressional Republicans are going to challenge local abortion policy in the District.

Even so, Wasser said that her organization is prepared to defend abortion access in the District.

“It’s scenario-dependent because it’s not a large issue at the moment. 
It doesn’t mean that tomorrow another bill won’t drop or another executive order won’t drop and then we’ll have to reassess,” Wasser said. “If something does happen, we will use those tools that we have with litigation, public education and advocacy to do everything that we can to protect abortion rights in D.C. and at the federal level.”

The question of home rule in Washington is similarly unresolved, according to Daniel Freeman. Freeman teaches government and law as a faculty fellow at American University and served as General Counsel to the House while it was considering the Home Rule Act.

Freeman said it’s unlikely that abortion opponents would waste political capital on influencing the local statutes in the District. However, he pointed out that for both abortion access and home rule, all it takes is a bit of political momentum to make something unexpected happen.

“The ridiculous is never out of the question,” Freeman said. “It may be that somebody in this new administration has got a problem with the District of Columbia. 
All you got to do is have somebody who gets pulled over for a traffic stop or something ridiculous like that.”

Dingus highlighted that Washington’s unique contribution to the landscape of abortion access adds to the threat of federal regulation. She said that because of the lack of gestational age limits on abortion in the District, clinics in the district provide care that patients can seldom get elsewhere.

, located in Dupont Circle, is one of three clinics in the U.S. that provide abortion care past a 17-week gestational period. With the threat of federal interference with Washington politics, Dingus said clinics are worried about further restrictions being put in place that could cause clinics to close or reduce the services they offer.

“People travel from Australia, Poland, Germany and all across the country to Dupont clinic to get their abortions,” Dingus said. “And you can’t replace them.”

To both Dingus and Wasser, Republicans’ threats to home rule emphasize the importance of advocating for statehood in Washington — both to protect the political will of District residents and to ensure the District isn’t thrown into political chaos whenever there is a change in administration.

“This happens every time we have a hostile administration,” Dingus said. “We are like, ‘What’s going to happen to D.C. as a city?’ ‘What’s going to happen to our ability to rule ourselves and control where our dollars go and what we can do?’”

Wasser said, continuing to advocate for statehood is an important part of protecting the rights of Washington residents, on top of ensuring that the federal government can’t overturn the District’s voting will. 

“We can’t fully defend or protect people’s civil rights and civil liberties without D.C. statehood,” Wasser said. “So while that is hopefully in the future, right now we need to protect home rule and remind people who we are as D.C., and what D.C. residents really want and deserve.”

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Recent attacks in the Northwest D.C. area were perceived by many as an uptick in bias-related crimes. The Metro Police Department reported that’s simply not the case.��

Local police report a decrease in bias-related crimes pertaining to sexual orientation, despite recent investigations.��

in October, showing bias-related crimes related to sexual orientation have actually decreased since 2022. There have been 22 crimes through October 31, 2024.��

“[The department] is seeing a decrease in all crime,” Tom Lynch, supervisory public affairs specialist for MPD, said. “We’ve seen crime come down in nearly every category.” 

One case that MPD is still investigating as “potentially being motivated by hate or bias” occurred earlier in October, according to MPD. Sebastian Thomas Robles Lascarro stopped at a McDonald’s located on the corner of 14th Street and U Street and was confronted by a woman in line behind him for not saying “excuse me.” 

When Lascarro tried to leave the restaurant, multiple people blocked the door and insisted he apologize to the woman. According to a police report, multiple people then started assaulting Lascarro and screaming homophobic slurs at him. One suspect reportedly said, “I’m going to teach you how to say sorry, f- – – – -.”

On November 5, and charged with assault with significant bodily injury. Multiple suspects were caught by nearby surveillance cameras and are still being searched for by MPD.��

The case is still being investigated as a potential hate crime. However, Lynch said the designation can “be changed at any point as an investigation proceeds and more information is gathered.”

“A designation as a hate crime by MPD does not mean prosecutors will prosecute it as a hate crime,” Lynch said.��

In August, local police investigated an attack outside of a Shake Shack in Dupont Circle. According to police reports obtained by 91����, Christian Dingus was attacked by multiple people and received EMS care for injuries to his jaw and face.��

the incident started after one of the restaurant employees aggressively responded to him asking where his food was. His partner, an unidentified male, pulled himself aside and gave Dingus a kiss to diffuse the situation.��

Both Dingus and his partner were escorted out of the restaurant by employees. Employees wearing Shake Shack uniforms were also seen hitting Dingus outside, as previously reported by NBC Washington.��

While the incident was intially suspected as an “anti-gay” hate crime, according to a previous police report, it is no longer being investigated as a bias-related crime. Lynch said findings of the investigation did not find the offense was motivated by bias.��

There have not been any arrests made in the case.��

As previously reported by 91����, the number of hate crimes in the District reached a new high in 2018. Based on mid-year data, 2019 was on track to meet or exceed those numbers.��

Aside from law enforcement, several other government agencies are attempting to prevent hate crimes across the District. The DC Office of Human Rights, as also previously reported by 91����, has been working to respond to hate crimes since 2017.��

James Yu, associate director of communications and equity for the office, said the Office of Human Rights cannot disclose details regarding individual complaints.��

“We continually work with the Mayor’s Office Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Affairs, local LGBTQIA+ organizations and partners to provide OHR’s training on the 23 Protected Traits in the District,” Yu said.��

A number of LGBTQIA+ organizations and advocacy groups contacted by 91���� declined to comment regarding D.C. hate crime numbers.

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Madhatter, located at 1319 Connecticut Ave NW, held an election viewing party across the bar and restaurant. Patrons packed into the establishment as screens projected the results live. Cheers and boos echo across the dining room as projections come in.��

Georgetown University student Matthew Buscarino watched the results before leaving for the White House. He said watching the votes on screens can be an overwhelming experience.��

Nevertheless, as a first-time voter, Buscarino called voting for Vice President Kamala Harris “rewarding.” 

“I feel like that was a very releasing experience,” Buscarino said.��

Similarly, Maya Feron expressed anxiety as more news outlets reported the results. Another Georgetown student described the experience as a “nail-biter.”

“I’m from Ohio, and I just can’t stand JD Vance,” Feron said. “Obviously, abortion is important to me, but I just can’t stand to see that man in any sort of higher office.” 

Across the area, a line wrapped around the block for The Admiral, located at 1 Dupont Circle NW. Both the outside and inside areas cheered as Harris was projected as the winner of D.C.��

Anthony Trianis and other family members waited in the stacked line to get into the bar and restaurant. Trianis was eligible to vote in this election but opted not to. He said he would’ve voted for former President Donald Trump.��

“There’s been a lot of things as far as immigration and gas prices that I’ve been following,” Trianis said. “I agree with him as far as those.” 

Later, Loring Telleen also waited to spend the evening inside The Admiral. She said she wanted to spend the evening outside the house to continue “compartmentalizing” her nerves.��

Telleen said she voted for Harris because of Trump’s “threat to democracy” and that he “sounds like a tyrant.”

“The way he’s signaled about undermining our democratic institutions and talked about having a first-day plan is the primary reason that I didn’t vote for him,” she said.��

As bars and other local businesses open their doors, other businesses board theirs in preparation for results. Many businesses across the city have opted to prepare for the worst, which has caused tension for residents.��

Telleen said it is “disappointing” that local businesses feel the need to close up following the Capitol Attack on January 6, 2021.

“I think there could be chaos no matter what happens,” she said.��

Other Democratic voters in D.C. are preparing for potential problems regardless of the presidential winner.��

“If Harris wins, it will be exciting,” Feron said. “Then, we’ll immediately have to prepare ourselves for all of the lawsuits and challenges and potential threats.”

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Organized by the , the event took place in Dupont Circle Park, solidifying its place as a cherished annual tradition.

“Every event comes with new challenges, but this one’s just on a bit of a bigger scale than what we normally do. But we’re really happy with the way it turned out today,” said Jason Goldman, the marketing and events manager at the Dupont Circle bid.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., festivalgoers immersed themselves in a vibrant array of activities, including live bluegrass performances, pumpkin painting, and costume contests.

Live music filled the air, creating an infectious atmosphere that encouraged many to hit the dance floor and celebrate together.

Among the performers were Shannon Leigh and the Good Bygones, returning for their third consecutive year. With a desire to “spread this kind of music,” the band sought to bring the community together through their melodies.

“This is a great opportunity, we hopefully have people here that never really heard it, and I hope that our music makes them happy,” said Shannon Leigh, a member of a bluegrass band.

To Leigh, music acts as a bridge that links people to each other as a part of something.

Celebrating something people commonly love or, at least, enjoy is a way to bring everyone together, she said.

Alongside the music and to maintain the Halloween vibe, this year’s festival introduced three costume contests: one for adults, one for kids, and one for pets.

Participants were invited to wear their favorite costumes for a chance to win a prize for best costume, awarded to the top three of each category.

“We used to do a fall event and a Halloween event normally, and we thought, why not combine it and just pool our resources to make one really big event this year,” said Goldman.

Incorporating Halloween-themed activities into this year’s fall festival was a strategic decision aimed at boosting community engagement, according to the organizing team.

“It’s really cute. I liked the free pumpkins, the live music is really nice, like a perfect weekend,” said Adalia Olmos, who recently moved to D.C

Olmos came to the festival for the first time with a friend and said she enjoyed painting a ghost face on her pumpkin. To her, the festival really helps with community engagement.

“This kind of event just makes everyone feel a whole lot more comfortable with each other and like there’s a bigger sense of community, so we care for each other more,” Olmos said.

Eric Lee attended the festival for the first time and was captivated by the vibrant atmosphere. As he participated in the pumpkin painting, Lee said he felt a sense of community that was both “welcoming and entertaining.”

 “The music is really good and brings everyone together,” he said.

“Painting pumpkins is such a creative way to connect and have fun! I’m not from D.C. but I will come back next year,” Lee said.

The festival aspires to grow into a cherished annual tradition, strengthening local community bonds and bringing people closer. Yet, as a nonprofit, juggling “budget constraints” adds a unique layer of challenge to the vision.

“We’re a nonprofit, so we work within budget constraints, but I hope that we can do this every year and make people remember it,” said Goldman.

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A driver hit Huseynov, a 24-year-old grad student at George Washington University, riding his bike crossing Connecticut Ave on Oct. 17. He later died from his injuries.��

DC Families for Safe Streets, an organization of volunteers personally impacted by traffic violence and fighting for improved safety, helped organize the bike memorial. Christy Kwan is the volunteer co-chair of the group.��

“A ghost bike is also a memorial and a visual reminder that a crash had occurred there at that specific location,” said Kwan.��

Huseynov’s death is one of 45 in the District in 2023. The number of deaths is up 55% from December 2022, when 29 people died. This year also marks the highest number of traffic deaths in D.C. in the past 16 years.

Mayor Muriel Bowser launched Vision Zero in 2015. At that time, the Mayor established 2024 as the goal year for eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The city has since fallen short.��

The initiative “aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle transportation safety by showcasing effective local actions, empowering local leaders to take action, and promoting partnerships to advance safety for all traveling on District streets,” according to Vision Zero’s .��

Advocates like Kwan want to see the city do more to correct this trajectory. Kwan points to a D.C. from March that cited a lack of funding as a major reason why the road safety initiative has yet to be successful.��

“I think what has frustrated us as people personally impacted by traffic violence is we will go through the motions to testify at District Council hearings about what we see on the ground and how we have to always speak up for safety, but what we see in terms of parties in the budget is that routinely, things will be not fully funded,” Kwan said.

91����ington Area Bicyclist Association also urges DDOT and the Mayor’s Office to make changes such as building more protected bike lanes, enforcing bus-only lanes and improving post-crash care. Advocacy Director Jeremiah Lowery said he wants a safe commuting space for all in the city. Lowery said there isn’t one right now.��

“From my perspective, we’re failing,” said Lowery. “I mean, bottom line, you know, we’re failing because the goal is zero.” 

The District government is still committed to making Vision Zero successful. The District Department of Transportation is working to redesign roadways, use and expand traffic cameras, and prioritize transit. DDOT and the Metropolitan Police Department meet and follow up on possible safety after every fatal crash in the District.��

MPD also performs weekly traffic safety checkpoints at locations prone to crashes.��

The Dupont Circle ANC, which neighbors the ANC where the intersection of L Street NW and Connecticut Ave NW is located, approved a in November honoring Nijad Huseynov and calling for DDOT to correct weaknesses at the intersection where Huseynov died as well as others around the District.��

Commissioner Jeffrey Rueckgauer sponsored the resolution and chairs the Dupont Circle ANC Mobility Committee. Rueckgauer said it’s infuriating to see traffic deaths increase instead of decrease in the city. He also expressed his concern to DDOT about the dangers of L and M Streets NW during a Mobility Committee meeting Monday night.��

“​​You’ve got to focus on putting people first,” Rueckgauer said. “So it’s a whole series of missed opportunities, frustrations and things that have resulted in a no-improvement situation.”

The Dupont Circle resolution also calls for “special attention to those interacting with bike lanes, to improve safety for all, especially the most vulnerable non-vehicular users.”

Rueckgauer said that in addition to increased funding for DDOT’s projects, he wants to implement lower-cost improvements, such as adding flex posts at dangerous intersections to help slow people turning.��

“Yes, it costs for the labor, but compared to people losing loved ones, or the city being sued for injuries or wrongful death, it’s a lot cheaper to be proactive with these things and they’re just not,” Rueckgauer said.��

The DC Council is currently considering four . The bills include one that would suspend licenses immediately for people with offenses like impaired driving and negligent homicide and another that would make drivers’ violations captured by traffic cameras the same as violations enforced through police. The other two bills would strengthen enforcement of drivers with a record of putting people in danger and the final one would strengthen enforcement of people with fake license plates.��

Kwan said traffic deaths and injuries result from transportation failures and thus must be addressed to eradicate the need for ghost bikes.��

“We learn because of why we come to this group that crashes are not accidents,” Kwan said. “They’re a result of failures and policy failures and design failures and I would say even broader at our culture about cars and efficiency and how to get to places quickly.”

The post Death of cyclist reveals cracks in DC’s Vision Zero Plan first appeared on 91����.

Two children have been hit crossing streets near the school since 2021. Neither were seriously injured. A driver hit a child in a crosswalk at the intersection of 17th Street and R Street NW in September 2023, and the other was hit in a crosswalk at the corner of New Hampshire Avenue and S Street NW in 2021.��

Adrian Snead walks his son to school at Ross Elementary every day. Their commute might be short, but Snead said it’s a dangerous daily occurrence.��

“We only have to walk about a block and a half, but I’m always scared with them crossing,” Snead said.��

Snead isn’t the only parent concerned about safely getting their children to school in Dupont Circle. Voters elected Ross Elementary parent Kyle Mulhall to ANC Commissioner in 2020. He said during his time on the commission, parents and the community noticed the speeding happening around the school, especially on 17th Street and wanted to start doing something about it. However, three years later, not much has been improved.��

He said it’s important that more changes are made on the roads to protect the neighborhood’s children.��

“The people commuting through the neighborhood are pretty aggressive drivers,” Mulhall said. “So I think that’s why you’ve got real concern because of the vulnerability of the children there.”

ANC Commissioner Vincent Slatt has also been pushing for these safety improvements from DDOT. He said he’s frustrated with the lack of action from the department.��

“Demanding speed bumps in front of a school where, for 20 years, I’ve walked by and I see them speeding, and kids have gotten hit, like, is that a crazy irrational demand?” Slatt said.��

The District Department of Transportation created the Safe Routes to School Plan in 2020. It involved “reviews of the built environment around schools, focusing on transportation infrastructure that provides traffic calming and safety improvements,” according to the District’s .��

The Ross Elementary plan calls for a multitude of improvements on streets around the school, such as raised intersections, new school zone signage, crosswalk markings and sidewalk repairs. The plan is marked on DDOT’s website.��

DDOT did not respond to 91����’s request for comment on the status of the Ross Elementary Safe Routes to School Plan. However, Gina Arlotto, a Safe Routes to School planner at DDOT, said at Dupont Circle ANC’s November Mobility Committee meeting that the short-term improvements laid out in the plan were implemented. These plans included new school zone signs, restriping lanes, among others.��

Arlotto also said at the meeting that DDOT plans to install flexposts at the intersection of 17th Street and R Street NW and a speed zone flasher in the 1600 block of R Street. She said she did not have a timeline for when those improvements will be made in the neighborhood.��

The Dupont Circle ANC and some parents disagree DDOT has done enough. The ANC voted unanimously last week on a resolution calling for specific safety implementations of the Ross Elementary Safe Routes to School Plan.��

The Dupont Circle ANC’s resolution calls for flexposts at the intersections of 17th Street and R Street NW and New Hampshire Ave and R Street NW, removing parking spaces at a couple of intersections, and improving school zone signs, among other requests.��

Snead said the traffic on 17th Street is particularly concerning for those going to and from school.��

“There’s a lot of on 17th in particular, there’s a lot of obstructions, visual obstructions, either delivery trucks or lots of cars in the way,” Snead said. “I love the bike lanes, but that means cars are parked further out. It’s harder for everybody to see.”

Slatt’s district includes the intersection of 17th Street and R Street. He’s witnessed a dangerous driving pattern.��

“They are picking up a lot of speed because they want to hit that green light at 17th and R and when they hit that green light at 17th and R they’re already going 35-40 in front of that school,” Slatt said.��

Slatt said getting flexposts at the intersection of R Street and 17th Street NW is critical for the safety of children and those walking there daily. He said he will continue checking in with DDOT and the ANC for an update on when the posts will be installed at the intersection.��

Slatt, Snead and Mulhall said they all want to see DDOT take action and make improvements to ensure kids in Dupont Circle can get to school safely.��

“They still make you argue and fight item for item for every improvement at any intersection you ask for, why it’s particularly sensitive here is that’s obviously a very dense traffic of small children,” Mulhall said.

The post Frustration mounts in Dupont Circle after another child gets hit around Ross Elementary first appeared on 91����.

During the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, each museum is offering programs and support for their communities.

Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack. In retaliation, Israel launched attacks on Gaza and cut off humanitarian aid, some of which has now been restored. Israel has now started its ground invasion in Gaza. In Gaza, more than 8,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.��

The walls are filled with art, clothing and posters detailing the history and current experiences of Palestinians. In addition to the permanent exhibit, the visiting exhibition titled “Huna Al Quds: Palestinian Art and Culture in Jerusalem during the early 20th century” looks at life in Jerusalem under the British mandate.

“Our mission is to humanize Palestinians to show that we have history that goes back thousands of years,” Founder and Director Bshara Nassar said. “We also have our rich culture and history, but also we are people living under occupation.”

Nassar also said his museum is a space where people can grieve with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war and a place where people can learn. He said since the start of the war, the museum has seen more people coming to visit.��

“The museum really seeks to create a safe place not just for Palestinians, but for everyone, for Palestinians to come and share their story like the daily life of Palestinians, the culture, the history, and dedicate time for other people to ask questions,” Nassar said.

Nassar’s family is still in Bethlehem. He said it’s difficult to operate the museum and also think about his family and how they’re doing during the war.��

“It’s been very hard to do all of this and be with family and check on them and just make sure that they’re okay,” Nassar said.

Only four blocks away in the same neighborhood, military regalia, artifacts and posters line the walls at the (NMAJMH). The museum offers visitors two floors of exhibits highlighting the role Jewish service members have played in the American military during wars going back to the American Revolution.

Michael Rugel, director of programs and content at the museum, said most of the museum’s content focuses on American history. Still, he said it recognizes the role it plays in being a space where people can come and reflect on current events that impact the Jewish community.

“We’ve always wanted to be a place for community but to be able to respond specifically to what’s going on in Israel and maintain a place in the community,” Rugel said.��

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History is associated with the , headquartered in the same space as the museum. The National Executive Director, Kenneth Greenberg, said the organization advocates for veterans and their families and stands against anti-semitism.��

“We stand strong against all kinds of bigotry and hatred, and believe that there’s no place in the United States, no place in the world for discrimination and bigotry,” Greenberg said.��

Rugel said a recent program discussing the 40th anniversary of the bombings of the Marine barracks in Beirut also turned into a discussion on the Israel-Hamas war. The bombings in Beirut killed 241 U.S. military personnel, 58 French service members and six Lebanese civilians.��

“This was planned well before the Hamas attack on Israel, but since we were talking about terrorism, that certainly was where everyone’s thoughts were,” Rugel said.��

During the ongoing war, the museums share similar concerns on safety and taking care of their communities. The Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations have reported increased instances of attacks and harassment against Arab and Jewish people.

“There is greater awareness about security with our building in particular, with our staff, ” Greenberg said. “We’ve talked to everybody and I think that that’s important and I think that there needs to be greater awareness on both sides.”

Greenberg said the organization also has close contacts with the Metropolitan Police Department and he said the department has increased its presence.��

“As Palestinians in the United States we see attacks on Palestinian communities, I think it’s scary,” Nassar said. “In general of course we are just cautious and just monitoring the situation even in the United States as we see increased attacks on Palestinians and so that’s something of course we consider.” 

Rugel said he hopes the museum continues to be a space ready to stand with the Jewish community.

“We want to focus on being a place where community can come and people can reflect, people can discuss what’s going on, our audience, most of which is Jewish, not exclusively, are still really upset, many people with close ties to Israel and everyone having seen these appalling images and heard reports that are difficult to deal with on a personal level.” 

The Museum of the Palestinian People also has a similar mission. Nassar said he wants the museum to be a place where people can show their support for the Palestinian community and a place where people can get a more full understanding of their lives.��

“There’ve been many people coming to the space to grieve with Palestinians, as we’ve seen more than 8,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, so many people are coming to grieve with us,” Nassar said. “Many are coming to ask questions.”

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