Read my statement on yesterday's events

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Neighbors,

Like you, I am still reeling from yesterday's shocking events at the United States Capitol. Never in my life, could I have imagined that the President of the United States would incite a violent insurrection against our own government, in the heart of our city. Last night, I called on Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th amendment and Congress to begin impeachment proceedings to remove this dangerous despot currently occupying the White House and prevent him from inciting further violence.

I was also struck by the extreme leniency of law enforcement, who in some cases appeared to allow these insurrectionists to enter and ransack our Capitol. The gentle treatment of domestic terrorists is unacceptable and indicative of the double standard in policing that sparked national calls for racial justice and defunding of police departments this summer. We need only look to the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters calling for justice, to see the disparate use of force on full display.

Yesterday also presented yet another example of why DC deserves statehood immediately. Mayor Bowser was required to request national guard presence through the Department of Defense instead of mobilizing them herself as every other Governor can do. It took us hours to coordinate a response with the federal government that would have taken any governor minutes. If DC were a state, we could have responded far quicker and potentially stopped this assault on our democracy.

I hope we can use yesterday's shameful episode to right the wrong of disenfranchisement and make DC the nation's 51st state.

In service,

Kenyan
In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:

* Read Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie's full statement condemning the insurrection by Trump supporters at the US Capitol
* Kenyan in The News
* Mayor Bowser Declares a 15-day Public Emergency
* Kenyan in the Community
* Community News
* Small Business Spotlight
* Covid-19 & Vaccine Updates



** Read Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie's full statement condemning the insurrection by Trump supporters at the US Capitol ([link removed][UNIQID])
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** Kenyan in The News
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Councilmember McDuffie named one of the country's 8 groundbreaking Black politicians you should know. ([link removed][UNIQID])


** Mayor Bowser Declares a 15-day Public Emergency
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On Wednesday, Mayor Bowser declared a public emergency in response to the insurrection at the United States Capitol. You can read the Mayor's full public emergency order here ([link removed][UNIQID]) .


** Kenyan in the Community
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** Community News
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Ward 5 residents Jeanette & Pierpont Mobley, Dr. Kelsey E Colley, John F Tatum, and Franklyn M Malone are the newest inductees into the Washington DC Hall of Fame!

Read Councilmember McDuffie's full statement here ([link removed][UNIQID])
On Saturday, Councilmember McDuffie swore in the new and returning Ward 5 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners.


** Small Business Spotlight
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Rhode Island MainStreet is awarding grants to small businesses. Apply here ([link removed][UNIQID]) by January 22nd.
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Bridge Fund Grant applications are still being accepted for retail business until January 8th and Entertainment venues until January 11th. Learn more and apply at coronavirus.dc.gov/bridgefund
The application for the Community Grant Program can be found here ([link removed][UNIQID]) . ([link removed][UNIQID])
DSLBD and the DCSBDC are partnering to offer technical assistance and support to DC small businesses. Signup for a free information session here ([link removed][UNIQID] & the DCSBDC are partnering to bring stronger (free) technical assistance and support to DC's Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs in 2021)


** Covid-19 & Vaccine Updates
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