Eritrea March?

that’s a real blast from the past – back when I first came to DC in the mid-70s Eritrea marches were actually very common

I believe it is the independence of Eritrea.
http://74.63.78.28/jun20-events/DC-June20/pages/DSC_1049.html

It matches with the comment you heard about Bush as well, even John Bolton seems to agree with them
http://www.slate.com/id/2178793/
http://tinyurl.com/djt9yu

Not to mention increasing aid to Ethiopia to Enormous level while they are occupying Eritrean land ignoring UN/ Hague ruling.
http://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx
http://tinyurl.com/og52nu

You might also be interested to listen to an NPR interview
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4729800 with the financial times journalist Michela Wrong, about her book ” I Didn’t Do It For You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation”. That goes in detail about American and Eritrean relationship over 50 years.

Hope that helped.

Hello — thank you for your photo & observation, which says the marchers need to pay attention to the message and keep the signs up and the info sheets out there. You can see the press releases for this event at http://freeeritrea.org/files/Press_Advisory_EGS_and_EDA-2.pdf In summary:
Erirea, in NE Africa on the Red Sea, had been a part of Ethiopia since WWII, and won its independence in 1991. Unfortunately, the regime that took control became drunk with power and in order to stay in control has abused the people, the country and some neighbors horribly. Unbelievable cruelty, torture and rapacity has taken over. In addition to the population, the security of the area has been jeopardized through arms and training provided to quazi-religious/political radicals in Somalia, and this month Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA) has pushed to have Eritrea placed on the US short list of States Sponsors of Terrorism. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) has crusaded against gross abuse of religious freedom in Eritrea. There is no free media in Eritrea, people attempting to flee the country are shot on sight, and family members of escapees are subject to heavy fines and imprisonment. Literally hundreds of thousands of refugees are scattered around the world, with large camps set up in The Sudan and Ethiopia. The top abuser of human and religious rights and decency is the “president” of Eritrea, Isayas “Mad Dog” Afewerki. The chanting in the march was about “Down with Dictator”, Isayasyas must Go!”, etc. — I expect that reference to Bush was not widespread.

There is an Eritrean Civic and Community Center on 6th and L. Looks like they have taught language classes in the past.

Kathy