Bad Day for K Street Lobbyists

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)It was not a good day to be a DC lobbyist. Despite a steady rain, bands of activists roamed downtown Washington, massing outside lobbyist offices to chant “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!” and “We are the 99 percent!” Wearing colorful ponchos and carrying banners denouncing corporate greed, the biggest contingents of demonstrators came from the ongoing “Take Back the Capitol” occupation on the National Mall that’s brought thousands from across the country this week to “remind Congress to represent all Americans, not just the richest 1%” Also joining in were occupiers from Occupy DC as well as members and leaders from the local labor, faith and community movements. The roving bands of chanting activists all converged at 16th  and K Streets at noon, taking over the intersection as the crowd swelled to over 2,000, chanting “Off the sidewalks and into the streets” and “When we fight, we win!” As the drizzle turned into a downpour, spirits rose as a young woman led a gorgeous and moving rendition of the Civil Rights movement anthem “Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.”  “I'm gonna keep on a walkin', keep on a talkin', marchin' til we get our jobs back,” they sang, hopeful, defiant voices merging together in the rain-soaked street. - report/photos by Chris Garlock