Struggle and Resistance: The Making of Adams Morgan

Recorded 12:00pm ET | Sunday, September 13th

Ever wonder what the original Adams Morgan was like, before gentrification? When 18th St. wasn’t filled with bars, and Madams Organ was an arts collective, and a place for punk rock bands to play. Who lived here, and how did the residents organize against changes, and when did gentrification start? Now’s your chance to find out from community members who have been here for it all. Join four long-time residents in a live, informal discussion about what it was like living in Adams Morgan in the 1970s and 1980s.

  • Eddie Becker, well-known neighborhood videographer, was here doing video at the time of the May Day Mass Arrests in 1971.
  • Casilda Luna, immigrated to Adams Morgan from the Dominican Republic in the 1960s and became an ardent neighborhood social worker, activist and community organizer.
  • Olivia Cadaval, originally from Mexico, moved here after college in the 1970s to work for the Smithsonian, learning about the neighborhood and cultures, including the Latin Festival of the 1970s and 80s (which she wrote a book about!).
  • Nancy Shia, neighborhood photographer and activist who came to live in Adams Morgan in 1975, will serve as the moderator for this discussion, followed by an opportunity to engage yourself and ask questions to these Adams Morgan icons.