Over 150 Organizations Call on Congress to Commit to Defending DC’s Autonomy

Signatories include civil rights, labor, faith, policy, and grassroots organizations representing DC and allies nationwide

Washington, DC – 151 organizations sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to protect the District of Columbia’s autonomy by rejecting any federal bills that undermine its democratic institutions or overturn laws passed by DC voters or representatives.

“Any attack on the District of Columbia’s democratic institutions and right to self-governance is an attack on American democracy itself,” the letter states. DC has nearly 700,000 residents, 44 percent of whom are Black, who live, work, and raise families in vibrant communities, and are denied their full rights as Americans. Escalating federal interference in DC – from forced budget cuts, the takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department, and bills to repeal the Home Rule Act – is a brazen abuse of power and only underscores the need for equal representation for District residents in Congress. 

Letter signatories, including Jobs With Justice, Color Of Change, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, call on Congress to make a commitment to these residents to vote against any legislation that overturns local laws or weakens DC’s ability to govern itself. 

Read the full letter and list of signatories.

“When federal lawmakers attack DC's laws, they are attacking the most vulnerable Washingtonians. They seek to make immigrants feel unwelcome, criminalize our youth, and turn dog whistles into legislation. The continuing surge of ICE and other federal enforcement agencies reflect only one way DC residents, especially Black and immigrant communities, are under attack,” says Elizabeth Falcon, Executive Director of DC Jobs With Justice. “The laws before Congress are also an act of aggression that seek to incarcerate, disempower, and harm our residents. Every Member of Congress who believes in a pluralistic democracy must vote No on each and every one of these attacks.”

It's not too late to sign on. Organizations can still sign the letter, and we will republish when we hit 300 organizations.