Press Release: DC Vote Condemns the President’s Deployment of Federal Troops Against Protesters

News Release — DC Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT

Bo Shuff, Executive Director

Washington DC— Today, DC Vote released the latest episode of DC Statehood featuring Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and DC Vote Executive Director, Bo Shuff. As the nation reels from the murder of George Floyd by police officers, and reels from the President’s action of turning the military on peaceful protesters here in DC, the Congressman spoke of how the District is uniquely vulnerable.

“The United States consists of 50 states. Each with a governor who must ask to deploy active-duty soldiers,” states Executive Director Bo Shuff. “Only in DC can our troops be put in harm’s way to protect a CVS at the whim of the President with no local law enforcement involvement. Washingtonians have no choice, no voice. DC Statehood is overdue.”

Congressman Gerry Connolly “[m]ost Americans want people to have the right to express themselves on the streets, in the cities, in their neighborhoods without the interference of the United States military. 

“I’m proud of a lot of former U.S. military officers, including General Mathis, who have spoken out saying ‘this is an inappropriate use of the military.’ You’re pitting the military against the citizens they’re sworn to protect. And it’s absolutely to be condemned. That’s not right. It’s not America.” 

Bo Shuff closed the conversation questioning, “The very concept of the federal government taking over the Washington DC police force is disturbing. Do you think governors would be okay with the federal government coming into their state and commandeering their local law enforcement?”

This episode is live on DC Vote’s social media at facebook.com/dcvote and twitter.com/dc_vote. Previous podcast episodes are available at www.statehoodmatters.com. 

About DC Vote: Founded in 1998, DC Vote is a national advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and securing equality for all who call DC home. DC Vote has been working to end taxation without representation for the people of DC with locals and advocates around the country for more than two decades. We envision a fairer America where every one of the 700,000 DC residents have the right to participate in the democracy that allows for controlling your own budget, passing your own laws without congressional interference, and having equal representation in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. #DC_Vote  

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