Demanding Dignity is the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition’s 2026 Economic Justice Film Series. Through film, food, fellowship, and community dialogue, we create space to learn together about what economic dignity requires: stable housing, real opportunity, and public choices that invest directly in people. The series is grounded in the American context where the arc of economic justice is inseparable from the treatment of marginalized communities, notably African Americans, and the long history of organizing for freedom, fairness, and a more humane economy. We built this series for education that is practical and community rooted, with real pathways to support guaranteed income and broader economic justice work in Washington, DC and across the DMV. We also welcome new partners for this series and invite organizations, parent leaders, youth leaders, artists, and allies to help shape future screenings, dialogue, and community resource connections.
This moment in DC makes the purpose of the series even clearer. Congress is actively considering steps that would block District decisions about local dollars, including policies connected to the District Child Tax Credit and related updates that analysts project could reach about 78,000 children and reduce child poverty in the District by about 20 percent when paired with EITC enhancements. That is why this newsletter includes multiple opportunities to engage, stay informed, and show up for guaranteed income and economic dignity in Washington, DC, including ways to support the District Child Tax Credit in Congress through lawful civic engagement.
We also intentionally host screenings in communities across Washington, DC to build awareness and support for guaranteed income: unconditional, regular payments that raise members of our community above an income floor so they can enjoy lives of dignity that meet their needs and allow them to dream, rest, and build. We demand guaranteed income to foster dignity for all.
The series opened with Cracked Shells, a documentary exploring displacement in Washington, DC and the fight to preserve Chocolate City culture and community. Each gathering includes food and fellowship, the film, and dialogue grounded in lived expertise, and it is designed so community members, including pilot participants in local pilot programs, community partners, and allies can reflect, connect, and celebrate the impact of their work to advance permanent guaranteed income policy.
On May 14, join the screening of Storming Caesar’s Palace. That film features a powerful story: In 1971, Nevada slashed welfare benefits by 75% and threw most mothers off the rolls. Ruby Duncan’s response? She shut down Caesars Palace. Flanked by Jane Fonda and thousands of marchers, they demanded their benefits back — and won, also bringing food stamps to the state.
Storming Caesar’s Palace tells their forgotten story — more relevant to DC’s fight today than ever.
We’ll have time for free food & fellowship, will watch the film, then engage in dialogue.