Marissa J. Lang ✍🏽🗞️
@Marissa_Jae
Followers
17K
Following
7K
Media
2K
Statuses
17K
Local enterprise at @washingtonpost. Formerly: housing, protests. @PostGuild organizer. NYer. Latina bilingüe. DMs always open. On 🦋: @marissajae.bsky.social
DC
Joined May 2008
After the 2020 Census showed the white population in decline for the first time, @tmellnik came to me & @TaraBahrampour with an asterisk: White folks gained major ground in one place — cities. And so began a months-long exploration of these shifts. (1/8)
2
32
64
We’re officially past curfew out here in front of the White House and the protest has not shrunk one bit. This is the biggest crowd my colleagues and I have seen all week. Instead of deterring them, the aggressive police tactics of yesterday seem to have moved many to come out.
493
12K
43K
Black Lives Matter organizers announcing: “We are not here to confront the Nazis. Fuck the Nazis. We’re here to shine. We’re here to be unapologetically black.” They’re going to have a block party here instead. #BlackLivesMatter #ShutItDownDC #UnitetheRight2
131
3K
11K
NEW from me: Wall of Moms, #BlackLivesMatter protesters sue Trump administration for using tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and other forceful techniques in #Portland.
682
3K
7K
I saw the verdict come down with London and Stephanie, a couple visiting BLM Plaza from Pennsylvania. As the judge read them off — guilty, guilty, guilty — London began to weep. “Oh my god,” he said as his gf tightened her grip on his arm. “Thank you, Jesus.” #DerekChauvinTrial
56
815
7K
Watch here as Sister Pat Murphy, 90, is arrested and led out. Sister Pat works with migrants and refugees in Chicago, and has been holding a weekly vigil outside ICE there for 13 years. She says the treatment of migrants should outrage all people of faith #CatholicDayOfAction #DC
243
3K
5K
In front of the White House now: anti-white supremacy rally in response to a weekend of violence that left more than 30 people dead in two mass shootings over a span of mere hours. #dc
485
2K
5K
NOW: A goup of anti-Trump demonstrators have staged a sit-in during a tour in the Capitol rotunda. They’re chanting “Trump is guilty,” “acquital is a coverup” and “honor your oath!” #ImpeachmentDay
736
2K
5K
This lady says she’s here as the protest fairy godmother. She’s not a mom, but she is a godmother, so tonight she’s dressed the part for everyone here. When I asked how long she’s been coming out to protest she told me: 50 years. #PortlandProtests
121
832
5K
39
1K
3K
Window broken at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute building. Protesters wrote “fuck Reagan” and “black lives matter” on the building. Thick black smoke rising nearby.
149
694
3K
NOW: Chants of “out now” and “November is too late” as hundreds gather outside the US Capitol to express their rage and dismay at the Senate’s vote to acquit President Trump, following his impeachment. Some are holding signs that say, “Thank you Sen. Romney!” #ImpeachmentDay
146
1K
3K
As flood lights shone in the face of protesters, demonstrators raised their cell phone and turned flashlights back on police. It is more than two hours past curfew. Hundreds remain. “Police are not essential!” the crowd is chanting. “The whole world is watching!” #DCProtests
102
915
3K
I’m seeing a lot of leaf blowers, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, tenis rackets and one of the more unique innovations so far: A kickboard (like the kind you use at the pool) that was transformed into a shield with layers and layers of duct tape. #Portlandprotests.
81
538
3K
This is just so heartbreaking.
Her dead calf resting on her nose, an orca whale has swum in mourning for more than 3 days in the Pacific Northwest. "I think she’s just grieving, unwilling at this point to let the calf go, like, 'Why, why, why?' "
15
692
3K
Police are arresting these nuns one by one, as they recite the Lord’s Prayer, which is echoing off the marble walls of the Russell Rotunda here in #DC. About 50 senators have offices in this building. #CatholicDayOfAction
100
1K
2K
Every night, the #WallofMoms gathers by the river before marching over to the Justice Center. Every night, this group has grown. This video doesn’t begin to do justice to how many ppl are here. Yellow shirted moms. Nurses in scrubs. Dads in orange. And so, so many more. #portland
80
766
2K
Pro-Trump rallies are getting underway, though turnout is less than it was in Nov. when thousands of Trump loyalists packed the city. Already though, fights broke out overnight as Proud Boys roamed #DC streets. Five people were arrested. Read more here:
1K
730
2K
Sampling of signs here. People are angry. They interrupted speakers to call for a revolution and denounce Trump and GOP members of Congress. It’s one of hundreds of #RejectTheCoverup protests around the country tonight — but this one is on Congress’s doorstep.
134
704
2K
The thing about following the Proud Boys around is they’re kind of. lost. They’re not from around here and don’t know #DC. I overheard one reciting the alphabet song to figure out where he was going.
101
273
2K
The moms are back and they have new recruits. This mom, from Salem, said this is her first protest in Portland — she came because she feels the feds are trampling on protesters’ rights. #PDXprotests #MomBloc
29
478
2K
Big cloud of tear gas going up at the north east corner of Lafayette Square. Protesters move like a wave to get away from it. I’ve covered a lot of protests in DC. I’ve never seen police so liberal with the projectiles.
87
582
2K
This is the last of them, singing as they’re led away. Dozens of Catholic nuns, clergy & parishioners were arrested in #DC during today’s #CatholicDayOfAction. Several said they hope it gives lawmakers courage to stand up for the protection of migrant families & change US policy.
53
605
2K
Rep. @AyannaPressley here at the #RejectTheCoverup protest in #DC quotes Maya Angelou’s famous saying, “when someone shows you who they are, believe them” as the crowd shouts out who they believe President Trump to be: “a fascist!” “a sociopath!” “a traitor to this country!”
92
546
1K
Simone Biles is the only Nassar abuse survivor still competing in the sport. She has pushed herself to her absolute limits physically, mentally and emotionally — not for USA gymnastics, but because she can. Nothing but love for the GOAT #SimoneBiles today and always.
Leading to this summer, Simone Biles couldn’t wait for the #Tokyo2020 Olympics. Not for them to start. For them to end. The weight she carried as the face of the sport had become a burden. And the pressure on her body had become what she called “unreal."
12
426
2K
This is the police line at BLM Plaza, which is still blocked off between H and Eye St. The fence defenders are playing “Welcome to DC” and hanging tight as fireworks and other explosions continue to burst to the east. #DCprotests
145
247
1K
Capital police officers are dismantling the human cross these Catholics made with their bodies on the Russell Rotunda floor during today’s #CatholicDayOfAction. On their chests are photographs of migrant children who have died in recent months while in federal custody. #DC
22
602
1K
Starting now: Catholics are gathered on the Capital lawn to protest the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and to call on Congress to defund ICE, stop detaining children and reform immigration policies they’re calling “inhumane.” They’re calling this #catholicdayofaction
35
487
1K
Police made a couple arrests at K Street just now after hundreds of Proud Boys descended on anti-Trump protesters near BLM Plaza. Unclear which group the folks who were arrested were from. #DCprotests
589
501
1K
When I was in journalism school, no one talked about the toll this job can take on your physical and emotional health. Now, when I teach, I address trauma constantly. Traumatic stress. Secondary trauma. How to make a trauma plan. That you don’t have to cover war to absorb trauma.
22
208
1K
Correction: the mayor is HERE. Surrounded by media and protesters who are not thrilled to see him. You can barely hear him over the roar of #BlackLivesMatter chants and people shouting at him to resign. A fun #Portland fact: Here, the mayor is also the police commissioner. #PDX.
136
362
1K
Navy veteran Christopher David was so angered by images of federal troops grabbing protesters off the street of #Portland that he decided to attend his first rally. He wanted to ask the feds about their oath to the Constitution. Then they broke his hand.
45
732
1K
“Black lives matter!” the crowd is chanting in unison in front of the Justice Center in downtown #Portland. This even after Gov. Brown announced earlier today that the feds might be leaving town — and the crowd keeps coming. #PDXprotests
31
488
1K
Starting to sound like a broken record, but it’s true every single day this continues: The crowd keeps getting bigger. There are more people at this die-in right now than there were in front of the White House yesterday. And more yesterday than the day before. Day 6 in #DC 👇🏽.
Thousands of demonstrators lie prone near Freedom Plaza shouting "I can' breathe!"
16
319
1K
A group of indigenous drummers have made their way to the reinforced fence around the federal courthouse. They’re singing and playing their instruments. One elder is wearing a respirator and ski goggles as he nods to the beat. A crowd has gathered to watch. #portlandprotests #pdx
41
476
916
#Parkland dad @manueloliver00 says today is a surprise party for his son, Joaquin, who would have been 18 today. The slain teen’s girlfriend is here wearing a shirt he designed. It says “tu con balas; yo con bolas.” It means, “you with bullets; me with balls.” #MarchOnNRA
10
217
827
Stacks of signs line patches of grass on the northeast side of Lafayette Park. Organizers said they’ll be here as long as #UniteTheRight2 remains in #DC. Their permit goes through midnight. #ShutItDownDC
36
292
714
I didn’t see it happen, but hearing from DC Fire officials that two individuals were stabbed here outside Harry’s Bar. Ambulance transporting them away now. Police cleared the block after chaos broke out in the crowd and police ran into the scrum with OC spray. #DCprotests
172
287
843
This is the second time this week faith leaders have come to #DC to protest the Trump Administration’s immigration policy — on Tuesday, 10 Jewish activists were arrested inside ICE headquarters in an effort to disrupt operations there:
19
273
724
So damn proud of this woman, the first female photojournalist in history to capture the State of the Union from the gallery floor — in the year 2020. Read her #thread on the experience — and what it meant to learn that she has unknowingly shattered this particular ceiling. 👏🏽.
Today I confirmed with the U.S. Senate Press Photographers Gallery (thanks @tricia_munro) that I was the first woman in that 25 year history to have the SOTU floor pool position. (Photo by @erinschaff)
17
202
808
NOW: Inside the Russell Senate building here in #DC, where dozens of Catholic nuns, parishioners and other leaders are preparing to be arrested by Capitol Police on this #CatholicDayOfAction in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
22
326
703
The thing about tear gas — and pepper spray balls — is it makes people cough. A lot. Watching as ailing activists are wracked with coughs, so they’re taking their masks off to breathe. We are still in the middle of a pandemic.
14
347
773
Unidentified agents detaining & searching protesters w/o warrant or explanation is disturbing. But woof this line: He didn’t know whether the men were police or far-right extremists, who frequently don militarylike outfits & harass left-leaning protesters.
41
475
696
Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. joined the court’s liberals in the 6 to 3 ruling. They said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination “because of sex,” includes LGBTQ employees.
32
244
738
There are, and I can’t emphasize this enough, a LOT of moms out tonight. It’s grown every day I’ve been here. #PortlandProtest #WallOfMoms
25
235
659
I’m out in front of the White House, where Turkish President Erdogan is meeting with President Trump. There are dozens of protesters here, chanting “Erdogan is ISIS,” “Long live Armenia,” “Turkey out of Syria” and “Turkey is a terrorist!” #Turkey
44
256
680
Crowd gathers around @fred_guttenberg, father of one of the slain teens from #Parkland, who tells them, “I live in that neighborhood where people said, ‘it could never happen here.’” #MarchOnNRA
14
214
649
After weeks of nonstop protests, #Juneteenth in DC will be a day of defiance, with activist groups calling for walkouts, strikes, highway blockades & lively celebrations that could shut down much of downtown as #DC again expects thousands of protesters.
61
321
681
Heading to the White House for another day of #GeorgeFloydProtests, and I cannot overstate how surreal it is to have to go through checkpoints manned by federal agents (DEA) and then watch armored military vehicles roam downtown with a police escort. Extremely eerie. #DCProtests
34
254
628
This is a tactic straight out of Hong Kong’s protest playbook. I’ve seen it a few times now at demonstrations in American cities 👇🏽.
One DHS official we spoke to expressed frustration and astonishment that Portland protesters were showing up with leaf blowers to disperse tear gas and send it right back at fed agents.
17
179
581
SCOOP: The Women’s March has cut ties with three inaugural board members (Bob Bland, Tamika Mallory & Linda Sarsour) who have been dogged by accusations of anti-Semitism, infighting & financial mismanagement. Carmen Perez & 16 new women will lead the org.
146
304
581
I found this family yesterday: Dad was pepper sprayed. Mom's eyes burned from tear gas. Their adult children were guiding them up a side street to safety. It was their first protest. My latest from #PDX, where the feds have spurred a new wave of activism:
15
288
543
There’s some dissent in the ranks here. About a 3rd of the crowd has taken off on a march to the Capitol. Hundreds remain. A smaller contingent is now asking folks to go to the Free Mason temple. The crowd shouted back, “no!” Many worried if they split, police will arrest them.
15
49
625
Another big crowd in downtown Portland tonight — hundreds of people have packed the sidewalks, the streets, the park. Here they’re chanting “black is beautiful!” #PDXprotests
11
207
557
The #PortlandMoms are back out and headed toward the Justice Center. Many have been here through tear gas and flash bangs and more. One longtime activist and mom out here said, “Hey, Trump wanted a wall. Well, look, he got a wall of moms!” #PDXprotest
96
256
565
Here’s a look at this crowd. Unlike so many protests I’ve covered in DC, these have been truly organic. No leaders. No agenda. No podium. The crowd ebbs and flows with the energy of the day. Today is more resolute than angry. Whomever has the megaphone can command a march.
15
185
535
When I came across this scene yesterday, I wasn’t surprised. I’d been reading chats of far-right plans to storm the Capitol for weeks. I had been writing about potential for violence for just as long. What shocked me was that it worked: They breached the building and ran inside.
“If you’re not trying to storm the Capitol right now, get out of here!” a woman bellowed to the crowd. “Storm it, girl!” a man called back. “Get these kids out of here!”. I’m at the United States Capitol, where a joint session of Congress is underway inside. #DC
8
157
595
The protesters are in the street now, blocking traffic as they make their way to the Hart building, where 50 US senators have offices. #WomenDisobey #Immigration #DC
17
209
469
I was interviewing this woman, a decorated US Army veteran who worked military inteligence, about why she joined today’s #PortlandProtest and what her impressions were. Then, as she was talking, the feds set off the first round of tear gas. #PDXprotests
16
367
525
The line of veterans known as the #WallOfVets is standing on the front line, backed up by a relatively small group of yellow-clad #WallOfMoms. The vets have largely been standing at parade rest. Those who have gas masks and respirators are now suiting up. #PortlandProtest
25
241
519
Here’s the protest happening outside of Lafayette Park at 3:30 pm — that’s just three and a half hours to the mayor’s 7 pm curfew. And the crowd here is growing. #dc #DCProtests
8
186
537
Former neo-Nazis are here & say they’re planning to infiltrate the #UniteTheRight2 rally in hopes of reforming more people. They greeted protesters on the #ShutItDownDC side of tbe barricades, posed for photos and said “there is no justification” for their past.
33
184
501
#Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has made it out of the corner of this protest and into its beating center. He tells he crowd if they get tear gassed tonight, then he’s getting tear gassed tonight. Overhead, a government helicopter is circling. #PDXprotests
59
223
549
As someone who has seen first-hand the transformation of cities I have loved and called home, I am honored to be taking on this new beat. I may not be protest-chasing as often, but I’ll still be in these streets. Get at me with tips, news & housing buzz:
81
47
646
We now have a tree full of box fans hanging at the park right accross from the federal courthouse here in #Portland. The park is home to Riot Ribs, an elaborate aid station that feeds anyone who asks. Keeping chemicals out has been an ongoing struggle. #PDXprotests
7
153
481
“Allies! If you’re with us today,” a young man says into the megaphone, “be with us tomorrow. Be with us yesterday. This is not just one day! This is our lives!” . We’re nearly at U Street now. DC police have closed off the streets.
6
103
496
Families gathered here are holding up photographs of migrant children who have died in federal custody in recent months. They list their names, ages and the day they died. Otjer signs say things like, “children do not belong on cages.” #CatholicDayOfAction #DC
6
160
427
One of the hardest things abt reporting in these protests has been figuring out what the hell police are shooting at you — only have officials later say what you saw wasn’t real. Glad @ahauslohner got to the bottom of this: CDC says, yes, it was tear gas.
8
202
451
Outside Lafayette Park this morning, #DC police have put up signage warning that guns are banned, even for those who have a permit, in protest zones. #ShutItDownDC #UniteTheRight2
32
223
425
Overheard two men in Proud Boy colors saying “the plan right now is to draw antifa over here.” Lots of talk about “antifa” out here. A new chant now: “Good job, Kyle!” In an apparent reference to Kyle Rittenhouse, accused of fatally shooting 2 people at a protest in Kenosha, WI.
54
204
426
Demonstrators are reading excerpts from interviews lawyers have conducted with children in detention. Between each reading, the group joins in song: “Lord have mercy.” #CatholicDayOfAction #DC
4
154
426
Amy Schumer is one of the many #CancelKavanaugh protesters arrested here in the Hart Senate Office Building just now. #DC
53
177
400
Back at Black Lives Matter Plaza, as Trump supporters are trying to push through the crowd as protesters jeer and chant at them to leave. Small confrontations so far, with a couple MAGA hats and Trump flags snatched off of departing Trump supporters. #DCprotest
79
53
452
Furloughed government workers, out of work contractors, union members and supporters out here chanting, “We’re fed up.” #DC #ShutdownProtest
29
240
394
An observation: You can smell the liquor in this crowd. And I am wearing two masks.
16
64
402
Seeing my old stories get new life as people grapple with how, it seemed, the police may not have known the attack on the Capitol was coming. Here’s the thing: the plans were happening out in the open for weeks. Anyone paying attention knew. But not everyone took it seriously.
14
192
451
NEW from me: Federal law enforcement stockpiled munitions, sought controversial ‘heat ray’ device before clearing Lafayette Square, whistleblower says #dcprotests
32
274
395
So strange to see these celebrations and historic swearings in on the very same steps where almost exactly two weeks ago, I watched a violent mob storm through police lines, topple barricades and break open the doors to the US Capitol. The whiplash is real. #Inauguration #DC.
5
65
388
Wow. The Salt Lake Tribune becomes the 1st US legacy newspaper to abandon its for-profit model to become a nonprofit. I’ve long heard debates on whether nonprofits could be a sustainable path forward for local news. Very curious to see how this plays out.
7
185
404
This at the kickoff of a week in which militarized groups have planned armed demonstrations in all 50 state capitols starting Jan. 16 and running through at least Jan. 20, aka inauguration day. 👇🏽.
The FBI has "received information about an identified armed group intending to travel to Washington, DC on 16 January. They have warned that if Congress attempts to remove POTUS via the 25th Amendment a huge uprising will occur," according to a bulletin obtained by @ABC.
25
190
407
Driving through the nation’s capital now is like chasing a rising wave of cheers. As people find out all over DC, you can hear whistles, honks, fireworks. People standing on porches, sharing the news with their neighbors. I just passed a woman on a bike who shouted, “it’s over!”.
2
81
406
Apologies in advance for the 1000 percent increase in dog barking on my work calls.
10
53
396
Every now and then, a handful of protesters start to shake the fence separating riot police and protesters. And every time, they have been called off by fellow protesters chanting “peaceful protest!” Or warning of the police, “don’t give them a reason.” #DCprotests
8
80
387
Things remain calm so far by the White House. But an hour and a half after curfew, tensions are rising between protesters and police as they head to the Capitol 👇🏽.
Like clockwork, tensions are rising as the sun sets. Group en route to Capitol just drove away DC police on bikes; protestors are now being trailed by three dozen FBI agents on foot
7
79
407
Riot cops line up outside the Supreme Court, facing their shields toward the relatively small counterprotest as thousands of Trump supporters continue to fill the street. Lost Trump supporters keep wandering over as antifascists yell “Turn around!” #DCProtests
32
87
397
With 15 minutes until #DC curfew there seems to be an unspoken agreement that things could get bad fast. Many in the crowd have memories of how quickly things turned yesterday — either they were here, or they watched on TV. Everywhere I look, goggles & bike helmets are going on.
3
77
390
Military road block north of White House on 16th St. NW. I’ve been marching with a group of hundreds. They’re peaceful, a young crowd, and many have told me this is their FIRST protest. Organizers, spotting the police cars ahead warn: “white people, protect black people! Please!”
2
83
357
Across from the federal courthouse a painter captures the scene. He’s been out all week, painting a new canvas each night Today, he said, he’s been coughing more than usual. He realized he’s kicking up tear gas particles that have coated the dirt in the park. #PortlandProtest
19
120
360
Meanwhile, this flashing billboard is driving around downtown #DC. Many Trump supporters have expressed disappointment that in Trump’s flurry of last-minute pardons, Assange was not one of them.
21
105
397
This group — w/ Proud Boys in the yellow & black — is trying to march to BLM Plaza, as police in riot gear walk along side them. Officers have shut down the street at H and Vermont, not allowing them to pass. But as they march up together, it really looks like a police escort.
30
122
348
The group ebbs and flows as different clusters rejoin the group. They’ve been marching in circles around downtown for hours, chanting “whose streets? Our streets!” And “fuck Antifa!” #DCprotests
68
73
320
Police just unloaded several rounds of shots of pepper bullets into the crowd. Protesters scattered, shouting, “they’re shooting!” Many more coughing and clutching their faces now.
23
96
364
This line wraps around the block and down to the river. Moms are marching in front of the fed courthouse. As they march, folks are shouting “thank you, moms!” And “feds stay clear! Moms are here!”. Also spotted: Lawyers for black lives, wearing button downs and ties. #PDXprotests
16
134
332
.@SenDuckworth says she’s here to support the protesters here demanding an end to immigrant family separation and detention. #Immigration #WomenDisobey #dc
17
140
297
Back in the crowd, Wheeler is talking to #BlackLivesMatter activists who are pushing him on that promise. “As soon as you leave,” the activist says, we’re all getting gassed. “If you get gassed with us tonight, that tells us a lot.” #PDXprotests
24
121
344