51 for 51 Joins National March On for Washington and Voting Rights to Call for D.C. Statehood
Washington, D.C. — 51 for 51, the national statehood organization advocating to make D.C. the 51st state with 51 votes, is joining National Action Network, Drum Major Institute, March On, SEIU, and Future Coalition, along with dozens of other groups, to host the March On for Washington and Voting Rights in D.C. on August 28th. Mobilizing the power of people, the march will demand Congress pass federal voting rights legislation, including the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the Washington D.C. Admissions act.
When a quarter of a million people marched to Washington, D.C. for the 1963 March on Washington to demand civil rights and voting rights for Black Americans, the mobilization became a catalyst for Congress to pass historic legislation. This year, marchers in D.C. will make their voices heard once again, adding a call to enfranchise the 700,000 mostly Black and Brown residents of Washington who have no voting representation in Congress.
Stasha Rhodes, Campaign Manager of 51 for 51, issued the following statement:
“51 for 51 has long stated that D.C. statehood is one of the most urgent civil rights and voting rights issues of our time — statehood being included on this historic national stage alongside civil rights leaders cements that truth. On August 28th, we are marching to demand equal access to the ballot box for Black and Brown Americans around the country, including the 700,000, mostly Black and Brown residents of Washington, D.C. who are sidelined by this country.
We are harnessing people power and the historic legacy of the 1963 March on Washington to finally grant full voting rights to 700,000 Americans. Our democracy is in crisis, and D.C. statehood is non-negotiable. While we also march to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancements Act, let us not forget that the residents of D.C. don’t even have a vote on either of those bills. We won’t let that injustice stand or give up until we’re granted equal rights in our democracy.
The name of this historic march in D.C. is the March On for Washington and Voting Rights to denote that we are marching for the people of Washington, D.C. When 250,000 people marched to D.C. in 1963, the people of D.C. were left behind — we are fighting to ensure they will not be left behind in 2021.”
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51 for 51 is a coalition of D.C.-based and national groups committed to equal representation for the over 700,000 D.C. residents who remain locked out of our democracy. The coalition of 20 progressive groups believe American citizens living in the District deserve a voice in Congress and control over their own local laws. Already, President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, and Senators Warren, Markey, Gillibrand and Hickenlooper have endorsed 51 for 51’s proposed path to statehood.
Additional Information
Website: https://www.51for51.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/51for51