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RELEASE: Senator Ed Markey Becomes 19th Progressive Leader to Endorse Making D.C. the 51st State with 51 Votes in the Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 30th, 2020

CONTACT: 

press@51for51.org

WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) endorsed 51 for 51, a grassroots campaign to pass D.C. statehood with 51 votes in the Senate. Last week, over 100 young advocates from 23 states met with 14 Senate offices, including Senator Markey, asking for their support for 51 for 51 as an urgent civil rights and voting rights issue. Senator Markey joins a large group of progressive leaders supporting D.C. statehood legislation with 51 votes in the Senate. 

“For far too long, the people of Washington D.C. have been denied a vote in Congress. At this point, simply supporting D.C. statehood is not enough — we need bold action to ensure D.C. statehood action can pass in the Senate. 51 for 51 provides a roadmap to equal representation in Congress, led by youth activists from Massachusetts and across the country who are using their voices to create a more just America,” said Senator Markey. 

“We’re so grateful for the support of Senator Markey — a progressive leader in the Senate committed to correcting the stain on our democracy that has left over 700,000 Washingtonians without equal representation in Congress,” said Demi Stratmon, 51 for 51 Lead Organizer. “After H.R. 51 passed the House in June, we need Senate champions like him to step up, fight for representation for Washingtonians, and recognize that D.C. statehood is a national issue that deeply connects with the country’s cry for racial justice. I am incredibly proud of our young advocates — some of whom are not yet old enough to vote — for using their power as young leaders to fight for equal rights for the more than 700,000, mostly Black and Brown, residents of D.C. Now, with Senator Markey on our team in this fight, our movement is stronger than ever.”

Senator Markey became the 19th progressive and national leader to commit their support to making D.C. the 51st state with 51 votes in the Senate alongside:

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51 for 51 is a coalition comprised of D.C.-based and national groups committed to equal representation rights for D.C.’s over 700,000 residents. The coalition of over 20 progressive groups says American citizens living in the District deserve a voice in Congress and control over their own local laws. 

Additional Information

Website: https://www.51for51.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/51for51

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