Local Democracy DC Mural
Power to the People
Support the DC Mural Project and help us make democracy visible in the nation’s capital.
Local Democracy Project, in collaboration with political artist and Army veteran Essam Attia, is transforming a prominent wall at the intersection of Florida Ave. and U Street NW into a striking mural. Anchored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s words—
Help Us Bring This Mural to Life
We’re raising funds for materials, labor, and permitting. With your support, this powerful piece of art can take its place in one of D.C.’s busiest corridors—sparking conversation, inspiring civic action, and affirming that democracy rests in the hands of the people.
Your contribution isn’t just supporting art—it’s helping defend and restore the very foundations of our democracy.
Why This Matters
This project is more than paint on a wall—it’s a call to action. At a time when democracy is under threat, it reminds us that meaningful change starts locally—through school boards, city councils, grassroots organizing, and at the ballot box.
Backed by Local Democracy Project, this installation fuses civic action with creative resistance—anchoring a movement that builds from the ground up.
About the Artist: Essam Attia
Essam Attia is an artist, activist, and Army veteran based in Washington, D.C. His military deployments exposed him to the rapidly shifting technologies of modern warfare and their devastating impacts on civilian populations. After his service, he went on to create two of his most influential projects, Drone Zones and The Drone Campaign, which received international attention and were featured in The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Fox News. His work not only sparked public debate but even prompted presidential candidates to address questions about drone use, ultimately leading to his arrest by the NYPD Bureau of Counter-Terrorism.
Most recently, Essam served over three years as a senior policy advisor in the office of Senator Bernie Sanders, where he spearheaded investigations into the national security implications of artificial intelligence in military contexts. Previously, he worked as a foreign policy and defense fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts and a Master’s in Security Policy Studies from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
Join Us
With your help, we can create a landmark in the nation’s capital—Utilizing public space to spark conversation around building power from the ground up, recognizing how critical local elections are in reclaiming democracy, and the fight for every day working people to exist with safety, dignity, and freedom.
Will you help us make it happen?
