D.C. Voting Rights Advocates to Protest on Hill Today

I was out of town and out of touch for much of the weekend, so I missed the late-night drama that spared the federal and District governments from a shutdown. That's why I was even more shocked to see how blatantly the District had been used as bargaining chip in negotiations between President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner.

Sure, a ban on the use of federal funds for abortions was set aside, but what remained is a ban that's exclusive only to the District. During the negotiations, Obama literally gave us away, telling Boehner, "John, I will give you D.C. abortion. I am not happy about it."

If Obama thinks he's not happy about it, he should probably ask some residents and D.C. voting rights advocates how they're feeling when they gather on the Hill this afternoon at 5 p.m. to protest the deal that again prohibits the city from using its local funds on abortions for low-income women. (The restrictions were lifted by Democrats in 2009.) D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Vince Gray, Councilmember Michael Brown (Ind.-At-Large), Shadow Representative Mike Panetta and others will be on hand for the protest, which will take place at the corner of Second Street and Constitution Avenue NE.

The disregard in which we are held is on obvious display these days. If you're angry about it, you may want to stop in at the protest this afternoon to make your outrage public.

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http://dcist.com/2011/04/dc_voting_rights_advocates_to_prote .php

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