DC Vote Press Releases

DC Vote to Engage Tea Party

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

DC Vote Marches August 28 to Reclaim The Dream of Full Democracy for DC

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Norton Bill to Finish What 1973 Home Rule Act Started

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Conversation With The Candidates Thursday at UDC

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

DC Vote is co-sponsoring Conversation with the Candidates, an in-depth discussion on the major issues facing Washington, DC with candidates for Mayor of the District of Columbia and Chairman of the DC City Council.

Gray Wants End to Taxation Without Representation in

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC -- Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray applauded President Obama for signing the financial reform bill today and Congress for finally passing the legislation last week. At the same time, however, Gray asked, “What about us--when will financial reform come to the residents of the District of Columbia in the form of ending taxation without representation?” The Chairman released the following statement in his continuing efforts to raise awareness about the lack of full representation, autonomy, and full Democracy in the District.

The Arca Foundation Calls DC Vote “Bold, Courageous and Creative”

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - The Arca Foundation selected DC Vote as the first recipient of the Smith Bagley Memorial Grant, an award honoring organizations using bold, courageous and creative strategies to advance social change. Smith Bagley, businessman, philanthropist and political activist, was deeply committed to supporting social justice causes like civil rights, global democracy and international human rights. As the trailblazing president of the Arca Foundation, he funded progressive, cutting-edge organizations including DC Vote. Smith passed away at the age of 74 in January 2010.

Kwame to Childers: Join Me at the Shooting Range

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON—Mississippi Congressman Travis Childers wants Americans to make a choice between the District’s right to Congressional representation and the Second Amendment of the Constitution. At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown believes this is a false choice between two fundamental rights. He invited Rep. Childers to support DC statehood and if he does, Councilmember Kwame Brown will join him at a shooting range to discuss how to reduce gun violence in the District.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights responds to Rep. Childers statement

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

"Once again a member of Congress is seeking to impose his will on the District of Columbia, which is unconscionable given that D.C. has no vote in Congress and therefore no voice in the matter. The issue is not the Second Amendment but one of fundamental civil rights and whether citizens of the District should have control over their city's affairs, just like every other city and the nation."

- Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Councilmember Michael A. Brown Blasts Representative Travis Childers For His Attack On DC Gun Laws

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) Councilmember Michael Brown issued the following statement in response to Congressman Childers attack on DC gun laws: “Representative Childers’ (D-MS) statements about the District of Columbia gun laws and his pathological need to foist his own backwater opinions about the Second Amendment upon the residents of the District of Columbia are truly lamentable. Perhaps the Congressman should spend more time focusing on the needs of his own constituents.

DC Voting Rights Advocates Stage Direct Action on Capitol Hill

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC - DC Vote, activists and family members of victims of violence will stage a direct action on Capitol Hill. DC Vote is launching an advertisement campaign in the Mississippi congressional district of Representative Travis Childers (D-MS). Childers is one of the primary cosponsors of a bill that would wipe away the District's gun laws. Childers is acting like he is the Mayor of DC. DC Vote seeks to inform Childers' constituents that, instead of focusing on problems facing Mississippi, he is busy concerning himself with DC's local affairs. We also want to let Childers' colleagues on Capitol Hill know about our ad campaign. We hope Childers' constituents and DC residents will continue urging him to back off. To help us deliver that message, we will be joined by a powerful voice - Nardyne Jefferies who lost her daughter, Brishell, to senseless gun violence on March 30, 2010.

Protesters File-In to Rep. Childers Office Today and Demand Local Control on Gun Issues

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC - Dozens of DC citizens hand-delivered a clear message at the Capitol Office of Mississippi Rep. Travis Childers today: stop interfering with local issues and concentrate on the issues that affect Mississippi.

DC Vote Responds to Proposed Legislation on DC Gun Control

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Today Senator McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Tester (D-MT) announced their plans to introduce legislation that would, among other things, repeal the DC Semiautomatic Ban, repeal DC's storage law, absolve the ability for residential or commercial building owners in the District to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms by tenants, allow DC residents to purchase guns in Maryland or Virginia and loosen DC's firearm registration system.

DC Vote Remembers Dr. Dorothy Height

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - DC Vote Executive Director, Ilir Zherka, reflects on the passing of Dr. Dorothy Height, Chair and President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women and civil rights icon. The following statement may be quoted in full or in part:

People For the American Way - DC Council Passes Marriage Equality Legislation

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC – The DC City Council today gave final approval to legislation that will extend marriage equality to same-sex couples. Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the law, which will go into effect after the Congressional review period has elapsed.

Norton Marks Historic First in Getting All Riders Removed On DC Appropriations Bill

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) issued the following statement on the D.C. Appropriations bill that just passed the House

Chairman Gray Welcomes Major Home Rule Victories in D.C. Appropriations Headed to Final Passage In Congress

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray today said he was gratified to learn about important, long overdue victories for the District of Columbia and its quest for autonomy and expanded home rule that are included in the city's federal appropriations approved by a House and Senate conference committee last night. Gray said the Committees on Appropriations took bold policy steps in approving the Financial Services bill, which includes the District's appropriations, to help the city fight the spread of HIV and AIDS and homelessness, among other things. Final approval is expected on both the House and Senate floors in the coming days.

DC Vote and Tom Davis to Hold Film Screening of Un-Natural State

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Join DC Vote and former Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) at the historic Avalon Theatre for an exclusive screening and lively discussion of Un-Natural State, a new documentary exploring the struggle for DC voting rights. Delegate Norton, political commentator and news anchor Chris Matthews, local elected officials, DC Vote staff and supporters feature prominently in this film directed by Kirk Mangels and produced by Brad Mendelsohn.

Legislation Introduced to Bring DC Greater Autonomy: DC Vote Responds

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Tomorrow, the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing addressing two bills that would eliminate congressional review of DC's budget and laws. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) recently introduced in the House the District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act of 2009 (H.R. 1045) and the District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act of 2009 (H.R. 960).

Congressional Hearing Wednesday on DC Ability to Handle its Own Budget and Legislation Without Congressional Oversight

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Contact: Sonsyrea Tate Montgomery
202.225.8050 mobile/202.225.8143 office
Web Site: http://www.norton.house.gov
Sonsyrea.montgomery@mail.house.gov

Washington, DC – The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who serves on the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia, said that a legislative hearing entitled, "Greater Autonomy for the Nation's Capital," will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Witnesses are D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty; D.C. City Council Chair Vincent Gray; Dr. Natwar Gandhi, D.C. Chief Financial Officer; former D.C. Control Board Chair Alice M. Rivlin, currently a Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, and Director, Greater Washington Research, Brookings Institution (former Congressional Budget Office director); and former Corporation Council Walter Smith, currently Executive Director

Area Resident has Plans for DC Vote License Plates in All 50 States

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Maryland resident Larry Ottinger has a plan to get residents from every state in the U.S. to put a DC voting rights plate on their car. He will reveal his plans on WTOP's The Politics Program with Mark Plotkin tomorrow, Friday, November 13, at 10:20 AM.

Norton Asks Oversight and Government Reform Committee to Decline to Intervene Into Local DC Affairs

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a letter released today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) asked Committee on Government Oversight and Reform Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Subcommittee Chairman Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA) to decline the request of two Republican Committee members for a Committee investigation of the District’s funding of its HIV/AIDS programs following allegations reported in the Washington Post. In her letter, Norton, who has a long record of working to improve conditions for residents with HIV/AIDS, called the alleged misuse of funds “inexcusable.” However, she cited ongoing investigations by the District’s Inspector General and Attorney General, and hearings by the D.C. City Council. Norton said that a congressional committee investigation would not only violate D.C.’s home rule attention to this local matter, but would do so unnecessarily, considering the work underway by city officials.

DC Vote Board Member Responds to Hearings on Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Today, the DC City Council will hear testimony from District residents on proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. John Klenert, longtime DC resident and DC Vote board member responds. The statement below may be quoted in-full or in-part:

DC Vote to Honor 2009 Champions of Democracy

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13, DC Vote will host their annual Champions of Democracy Awards Dinner. This year's event is a celebration of Our Vote. Our Voice. Our Victory. Annually, DC Vote recognizes Champions of Democracy for their dedication to fulfilling the promise of full voting representation and full democracy for the 600,000 Americans who call Washington, DC home.

DC Vote Responds to Introduction of Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Today, the DC City Council will consider a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. Ilir Zherka, DC Vote Executive Director, responds. The following statement below may be quoted in full or in part:

DC Vote Hosts 'I Am DC' Advocacy Day on the Hill to Demand the Vote

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - DC Vote, dedicated to full congressional voting representation and full democracy for Washington, DC, will host I Am DC Advocacy Day on the Hill next week to urge Congress to pass the DC Voting Rights Act (H.R.157/S.160) without harmful amendments. Following a breakfast program with elected officials, supporters will deliver thousands of postcards from DC residents demanding the vote for DC to Democratic members of Congress who support the gun amendment that has stalled the legislation in the House.

Norton Calls on Homeland Security Officials to Restrict Gun Carrying Outside Public Events Where President and Federal Officials Appear in D.C.

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who serves on the Homeland Security Committee, today called on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan to restrict the carrying of weapons openly or concealed in or around the areas where the President of the United States and cabinet officials appear, following reports, photos, and videos of people carrying guns outside of an Obama town hall meeting in Arizona earlier this week. Norton said that this restriction is particularly necessary in the nation's capitol, where recently filed litigation seeks to overturn D.C. law in order to allow residents and visitors to carry concealed guns in public.

DC Vote Responds to Attacks on DC's Local Democracy

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - DC Vote will travel to Mississippi next week, August 10-12. In response to attacks on DC's local democracy, staff will meet with individuals and organizations to discuss efforts by Representative Travis Childers (D-MS) to repeal DC's gun control laws and remove all local control of the issue in the future.

District Residents Demand the Vote in their Own Words

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - This Wednesday, several of the participants highlighted in DC Vote's latest campaign, I Am DC; I Demand the Vote will lead an on-bus tour of the advertisements currently running on WMATA buses in the District. They will be available for photos and will discuss their personal stories of why full voting representation and full democracy is important to them.

DC Vote Travels to Philadelphia to Meet with State Elected Officials

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Philadelphia, PA - DC Vote will discuss voting rights and democracy with hundreds of elected officials today at the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit in Philadelphia.

Students for DC Vote to Distribute Advocacy 'Care Packages'

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - More than 100 students are expected to attend Students for DC Vote's Summer Send-off this Saturday, July 25. This annual event aims to engage DC-area students in advocacy on their college campuses.

DC Vote Prepares for Possibility of Gun Amendment to DC Appropriations Bill

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - DC Vote is vigorously preparing for the possibility that the pro-gun lobby will attach a gun amendment to the DC Appropriations bill.

Children to Host White House Rally Tomorrow

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Tomorrow, the Young Suffragists, a group of DC and DC-area children, will hold a rally in front of the White House to call for full democratic rights for DC. The group hosts this annual event to educate tourists about DC's lack of voting representation.

DC Vote to Travel to Key States to Defeat Gun Amendment

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - In the wake of a months-long battle to remove an amendment to the DC Voting Rights Act (H.R.157/S.160) that would gut the District's gun control laws, DC Vote is bringing their fight to the states.

Chairman Gray Statement on Holocaust Museum Shooting

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC— Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray commented on today’s shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, as he expressed sadness about the killing of a security guard there:

House Vote on DC Voting Rights Act Further Delayed Due to Lack of Consensus on Gun Amendment

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - The DC House Voting Rights Act (S.160/H.R.157) has been further delayed in the House following an attempt to remove an amendment that would gut the District's gun control laws. In a press conference today, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said that there wasn't consensus on how to proceed with the bill and the proposed gun amendments.

DC Vote Remembers Jack Kemp

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

DC Vote Executive Director, Ilir Zherka, reflects on the passing of Jack Kemp, former Congressman and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. The following statement may be quoted in full or in part

DC Residents Have Already Paid $1,013,552,816 in Federal Income Taxes

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC – On the eve of the federal tax return deadline, District residents had surpassed paying $1 billion in federal income taxes in 2009. A tax message billboard, installed by the Council outside of the John A. Wilson Building, keeps a running tally of taxes paid since the beginning of 2009. This afternoon, total taxes paid this year reached $1,013,552,816.98 (see attached photo taken today). The billboard was installed to raise awareness about the District’s fight for voting rights.

Students for DC Vote Hosts Artists Showcase Tonight

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Tomorrow, Students for DC Vote will host an arts showcase featuring nationally recognized talent. Local artists and performers will highlight the issue of DC voting rights through poetry, spoken word, mixed media art and music. The event will kick off with an artists reception hosted by Miss DC 2008.

Easter Photo-Opportunity: Protesting Peeps Visit DC City Council

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Just in time for Easter, DC Vote supporters have created a project for the Washington Post's annual Peeps Diorama Contest called, "Give DC peeps the vote!"

Law Firm Uncovers Serious Flaws with Ensign Amendment to DC Vote Bill

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - Today, a local law firm issued a memorandum revealing that Senator John Ensign's amendment to repeal DC's gun laws contains serious flaws.

Norton Says Holder Went “Above and Beyond” in Deciding DC VRA Constitutionality

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON. D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who has argued before the Supreme Court today said that Attorney General Eric Holder had gone to the highest source available to learn whether the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act should be defended by the Department.

DC Vote Continues to Push for a Clean DC Voting Rights Act

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Washington, DC - DC Vote, their coalition partners and volunteers are working overtime to deliver a clean DC Voting Rights Act (H.R.157). Supporters of the measure have launched an advocacy and advertising campaign this week to fight against an amendment to repeal DC's gun laws. A similar amendment passed in the Senate on February 26.