A teach-in on the facts surrounding the DC9 case is planned for Thursday. (Photo: TBD Staff)

Last week, I reported that the same organizers behind the November protest and march against the decision to drop all charges in the DC9 case were planning a "teach-in" that would, at least in part, offer lessons in nonviolent civil disobedience to attendees — a precursor to some future, even more assertive protest. But event organizer Roger Gordon e-mails to explain that's not actually what he has in mind.

The teach-in, set for Thursday, Jan. 27 at 9 p.m. at the Busboys and Poets on 14th Street, is being organized "because we need to learn how to prevent future tragedies like the one at DC9. We are going to review the officially reported facts, the results of our own investigation, the law, the procedural irregularities, and the media's coverage of the case," writes Gordon. "No one will be talking about getting arrested."

A subsequent press release on the event bills it as an "Old-Fashioned Civil Rights Teach-In & Town Hall Discussion" that "concerned citizens, activists, and law students" from "all points of view" are encouraged to attend. That's certainly a different tone than it was previously described to me, so there you have it. Still, given the involvement of Gordon, the same man who filed for an unsuccessful injunction in an effort to prevent DC9 from reopening last month, it seems unlikely this discussion will amount to the sort of "healing process" the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has lately been asking for.

Full press release on Thursday's event is below:

The investigation into the death of Ali Mohammed, last October, after being assauluted by employees of the popular U Street nighclub, DC 9, raised more questions than it answered. It also exposed a wide gap in how District residents perceive each other and the justice system.

Was it murder? A citizen’s arrest gone awry? Just deserts? Concerned citizens, activists, and law students are invited to attend a fact-based discussion about the investigation and share their views at Busboys & Poets on U Street this Thursday night at 9:00 pm. Come hear the facts and share your thoughts about the case and about ways to reduce violence and increase transparency. People with all points of view are welcome to attend.