Brian L. Schwalb

Tomorrow (Friday, October 16) is the deadline for Right Direction Award nominations! 🚨 Nominate an exceptional young person in your community that deserves recognition: http://oag.dc.gov/RDA

WAGE THEFT ENFORCEMENT: We are suing a DC child care center for stiffing workers nearly $15,000 in pay. Little Samaritan permanently closed without any notice to employees or parents. Six workers never got their final paychecks. We are fighting to recover the wages they earned.

DC passed a law to fast-track evictions for tenants who commit a violent or dangerous crime in their building. Now, that law is being challenged in a case where a tenant pled guilty to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon — after assaulting a leasing office employee in their building while armed with a knife. We are fighting in court to defend this common-sense provision. Incidents like this are rare, but they require prompt action to keep tenants, building staff, and nearby neighbors safe. This is also critical for ensuring that DC can continue to create and preserve the affordable housing our residents need.

Today, we returned to the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit to argue against the illegal National Guard deployment in DC. We are staying in this fight because the US military should not be policing American citizens anywhere in America — and that includes DC. The continued presence of thousands of armed National Guard troops in the District infringes on our fundamental rights and our local autonomy. It also sets an incredibly dangerous precedent for our country that we cannot afford to leave unchallenged. It is long past time for this illegal deployment to end.

WORKER WIN: Welch will pay $1.7 million for its role in a widespread worker misclassification scheme. Welch's construction projects included the City Ridge development in Ward 3. We are rooting out misclassification from DC and getting money back for the workers who earned it.

To wrap up Brian’s Bites, my last stop is @VEGZ, an Indian restaurant featuring unique vegan and vegetarian dishes from the South! I made my first dosa and learned how VEGZ weathered the challenges of the pandemic and continues to thrive today. 🍽️🥔🧄🥦

Before the government buildings, federal monuments, expansive streetscapes, and residential neighborhoods of present-day DC, this land was lined with Native American villages, quarries, burial mounds, and hunting and fishing sites for thousands of years. Traces of these Native American sites have been uncovered all across our city — from the hills of Van Ness and Chevy Chase to the riverbanks of the Potomac and the Anacostia. On Indigenous Peoples Day, we honor the Piscataway, the Nacotchtank (Anacostans), and all who first made the District their home. We also celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Native American communities across our country that endure today.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Talib Shakir. As Director of @ORCA_DC, Talib championed a comprehensive approach to public safety and economic opportunity for DC residents. He dedicated his career in public service to mentoring young people, providing resources and opportunities to returning citizens, and empowering DC residents to transform their lives. We are forever grateful for his great contributions to our city. DC needs more leaders like Talib.

This time on Brian’s Bites, I’m at Cynthia Bar & Bistro on H Street making smash burgers and talking about how local business owners show up for one another. 🍔 That’s what makes DC’s small business community so special!

What an honor to join @AUWCL and its renowned Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program for a meaningful conversation on the intersection of law, public policy, and community impact. Thank you for the warm welcome and brilliant questions, Eagles! 🦅