The Leadership Conference Opposes Efforts to Undermine D.C. Residents Freedom To Decide What Is Best For Their Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2023
Contact: Dena Craig, [email protected]
The Leadership Conference Opposes Efforts to Undermine D.C. Residents Freedom To Decide What Is Best For Their Community
WASHINGTON – Jesselyn McCurdy, executive vice president of Government Affairs of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after the Senate votes to override a D.C. law for the first time in 30 years:
“For democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us. No matter who you are or where you come from, we all deserve a say in the policies that will shape our future. We are disappointed that the Senate has voted to overturn the will of D.C. citizens – taxpaying Americans who reside in the nation’s capital. With this vote to override the District of Columbia’s Revised Criminal Code Act, senators have struck a blow to the freedom of the residents of Washington D.C. – a majority of whom are people of color – to decide what is best for their community. It remains painfully clear that the right to vote is meaningless for D.C. residents if their will can be overturned by Congress.
“Washingtonians are best situated to address public safety in their own community. They deserve to determine their laws without congressional interference. We are disturbed that senators have given in to fearmongering about crime, reverting to failed policies that have led to mass incarceration and enormous racial disparities. Full D.C. Statehood and respecting home-rule is a requirement for us to live in a truly representative democracy. We are troubled by politicians bending to anti-voter agendas instead of defending the freedom to vote of all people, regardless of where they live. The President must veto this resolution.”
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org
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