Pinback Button, " AMO Power"

ca. 1972

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.