DC City Council to Unveil Voting Rights Sign

January 15, 2009

Washington, DC - The DC City Council will unveil tomorrow an electronic message board displaying the amount of federal tax dollars DC residents pay while being denied voting representation in Congress. On July 16, 2008, the Council approved Bill 17-28, the "Taxation Without Representation Federal Tax Pay-Out Message Board Installation Act of 2008. The bill provided for the installation of LED message boards on the outside front wall of the John A. Wilson Building and on public space near the Nationals Park.

"DC residents pay the second highest per capita in federal income taxes," said Ilir Zherka, DC Vote Executive Director. "This board, like the 'Taxation Without Representation' license plates, will help educate millions about DC's injustice and provide a constant and highly-visible reminder that DC residents are tax-paying Americans who are denied a vote in Congress."

Currently, District residents pay approximately $5 billion annually in federal taxes - only Connecticut residents pay more.

"The DC Council has been a tireless supporter in the fight for voting rights," added Zherka. "We are so pleased that, through their efforts, millions of visitors to the District will be educated about DC residents' status as second-class citizens."

What:		Unveiling of electronic message board that displays the amount of federal taxes DC residents pay without democracy.
When:		Friday, January 16, 9:15 AM
Where:		John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Who:		Chairman Vincent C. Gray; Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton; Councilmember Kwame R. Brown; Ilir Zherka, DC Vote Executive Director

      Print Friendly