Rep. Trent Franks Ducks DC Constituents!
More than 50 DC residents line up to present local concerns
For more information contact: James Jones, Communications Director
202.462.6000 x12 office / 202.557.4864 mobile / jjones@dcvote.org
May 23, 2012
Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) locked the doors to his Washington, DC office today as more than 50 residents of the District of Columbia lined up to deliver local concerns for him to address.
DC residents anticipated that Franks would be eager to hear their concerns. Many consider Franks to be DC's self-appointed Mayor given his belief that he is obliged under the Constitution to involve himself
in DC’s local affairs. Franks used that argument to justify his authorship of a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy only in the District of Columbia.
Those attending Rep. Trent Franks' DC Constituent Service Day were ready to present problems confronting most big city mayors such as potholes, trees blocking road signs, and train delays.
DC residents also urged "Mayor" Franks to help clean up the Anacostia River and improve air quality in the region.
"We are surprised that 'Mayor' Franks chose to avoid his DC constituents," said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of DC Vote -- a non-profit advocacy organization fighting for DC self -determination.
"Mr. Franks likes to talk about his Constitutional responsibility to manage District affairs, and now that we are at his doorstep asking for assistance, he has decided to ignore that responsibility."
DC constituents stood in front of Franks' office and presented their problems for the video cameras, while more than a dozen U.S. Capital Police Officers looked on. The officers threatened protestors with arrest for taping photos depicting their concerns to Rep. Franks' door. The concerns of each of the constituents will be delivered to "Mayor" Franks and the video statements to Franks will be posted on YouTube. Franks can run from DC residents, but he can’t hide.
DC residents have no voting representative in Congress. The District's non-voting delegate was barred by Mr. Franks from testifying last week at a hearing on his DC abortion ban bill.
Click here for video of the event. Still photos available upon request
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