Social Justice
Cultural Convergence
Straight ahead is All Souls Church, Unitarian, long known for its social activism, starting with abolitionism in the 1820s and ranging through nuclear disarmament and interracial cooperation. During the segregation era, All Souls was one of the few places in DC open to integrated meetings. During the 1980s and '90s it (and other neighborhood churches) even hosted concerts by DC's influential punk bands Bad Brains, Fugazi, Minor Threat, and others.
In the 1960s, the church launched the model Girard Street Playground Project in response to growing neighborhood crime. After the 1968 riots, the church worked with Change, Inc. to build 406 apartments on 14th Street. All Souls' first African American senior minister, Rev. David H. Eaton led the church as it opened its doors to Antioch Law School, DC Music Center, DC Rape Crisis Center, and other groups. Eaton also became president of the DC Board of Education in 1982.
Others shared All Souls' commitment. Sojourners, a Christian social justice community, ran summer and after-school programs at 1323 Girard Street and at Clifton Terrace, and helped form the Southern Columbia Heights Tenant Union. Sojourners organizes nationally for social change.
The Community for Creative Non-Violence grew out of anti-Vietnam War protests at George Washington University. After the war, CCNV opened soup kitchens, free clinics, and shelters. Eventually the group moved its headquarters to 1345 Euclid Street. Led by Mitch Snyder until his death in 1990, CCNV won political influence for its causes.
Behind you on your right is the Mexican Cultural Institute, welcoming visitors to see exhibits and murals on Mexican life and history. The Institute succeeded the Mexican Embassy in the 1911 building originally the residence of Chicago Socialite Emily MacVeagh.
Marker is on 16th Street, NW south of Harvard Street, NW.
Courtesy hmdb.org
