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The Anacostia Community Museum’s indoor gallery will be closed March 2 through May 18 as we bring our next exhibition to life. Even though our gallery is closed, join us at any of the dynamic upcoming events planned during this time. More information about our events is available at: anacostia.si.edu/events. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Pinback Button, AMO Power

Object Details

Date
ca. 1972
Medium
paper, plastic, metal
Dimensions
1 7/16 × 1 7/16 × 1/4 in. (3.7 × 3.7 × 0.6 cm)
Cite As
Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Caption
This black-and-white pinback button celebrates the Adams Morgan Organization (AMO, pronounced ‘ammo’) and affirms self-governance in urban communities. Founded in 1972, AMO developed a participatory democracy in Washington, DC’s Adams Morgan neighborhood, where all residents shared an equal vote. AMO tackled urgent issues of gentrification and mass evictions by providing information and support to maintain community control. This model of self-government was a precursor to the District of Columbia Home Rule Act passed by Congress in 1973 and set the standard for the formation of Advisory Neighborhood Councils (now Advisory Neighborhood Commissions) and tenancy ownership legislation. Although based in a small neighborhood, AMO brought structured power to the people.
Accession Number
2016.0006.0004
Type
button
See more items in
Anacostia Community Museum Collection
Data Source
Anacostia Community Museum
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/dl8b0d5b0fd-3049-4804-a103-f3a9b386daf7
Record ID
acm_2016.0006.0004
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