
Statehood News (202)
I am a Black woman living in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., and an historic event is taking place in my hometown this week.
In June 2020, Vice President Joe Biden promised to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States. President Biden has done just that by nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to that judicially supreme seat on the highest court in the land.
This is an historic first! Never in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court has such a nomination occurred!
As a Black woman, I can remember the great pride I experienced in the decisions by, and performance of, Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall while on the court and the exquisite disappointment I felt in the conservative stances taken by his successor, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.
The nomination of Judge Jackson – a Black woman and a native Washingtonian – is a great break in that proverbial “glass ceiling.” I should be more joyful, but I cannot fully participate in the celebration. I do not feel all the pride I should for Judge Jackson’s nomination because the Constitution requires that the United States Senate’s role in the process is to give advice and consent on the president's nomination. As a D.C. resident, I have no voice. I play no role in the process because I have no VOTING SENATORS to speak for me and cast votes.
I am very aware that we are locked out of this historic consequential vote. Yet again, D.C. residents have no say and play no role in our so-called democracy. And I have heard no mention or discussion of our unique political situation.
I heard the impassioned speech of U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on television, but he made no such observation. I was devastated by Senator Booker's omission, as he has been a strong D.C. statehood supporter.
Our lack of citizenship rights affects all aspects of our lives, and our omission from the Union must be properly noted in order to end it once and for all.
We must demand D.C. statehood now, so that we are no longer by-standers of history in the making.
ANISE JENKINS, Executive Director
Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. (FREE D.C.)
March 21, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Over 150 Pro-Democracy Groups To Schumer: "Do Not Wait Any Longer" to Change Senate Rules, Pass Voting Rights and Democracy Legislation
Opinion: A stunted statehood movement
Written by Karen A. Szulgit | The Washington PostAnise Jenkins receives award from DC Appleseed
Written by Anise JenkinsMourning Candidate for Life: Faith Dane Crannitch
Written by Hill RagD.C. Statehood a Priority, Civil Rights Leaders Say
Written by James Wright | The Washington InformerCivil rights leaders joined about 70 D.C. statehood activists at Freedom Plaza in Northwest on Aug. 28 to insist making the District the 51st state is a priority for the national voting rights movement.
More...
D.C. Leaders Want Statehood on March on for Washington Agenda
Written by James Wright | The Washington InformerWhile the March on Washington taking place on Aug. 28 will focus on informing Americans about voter suppression measures throughout the country, District leaders and activists don’t want it to be forgotten that residents of the nation’s capital are also disenfranchised.
We Stand Up to Celebrate the Fourth
Written by Anise Jenkins | The Hill RagThis Juneteenth, Washington, D.C. residents say there's no freedom without statehood
Written by Trymaine Lee | MSNBCEPISODE SUMMARY
‘It’s the last plantation:’ Why Black D.C. residents are demanding their city become a state.
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, but in Washington, D.C, Black people are still fighting for the right to control their own affairs. Becoming a state would help. Into America heads to D.C. to learn about the push for statehood.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE.
D.C. Statehood Activists Gear Up for Historic June 22 Senate Hearing
Written by James Wright | The Washington InformerHistory
-
Obituary - Lillian J. Huff
Lillian J. Huff (Age 87) peacefully transitioned from this life on Monday, September 17, 2018. She was a community activist and leader throughout the city especially in the Lamond Riggs Civic Association, political activist on the DC Statehood Committee and a leader in the DC Federation of Democratic Women's Organization.
Read More -
"Statehood is Far More Difficult" The Struggle for D.C. Self-Determination, 1980-2017
-
Remembering Our Fallen Activists of Stand Up / Free DC
-
Activists challenge and reshape our social and political consciousness.
-
Stand Up! / Free DC! awarded grant from Diverse City Fund
The Diverse City Fund works to nurture community leaders and grassroots projects which are acting to transform DC into a more just, vibrant place to live. Through their grantmaking, they identify, support and connect people in communities of color who are engaged in change work. The DCF supports the development of community-level social change by…
Read More -
Julius Hobson That One Time the Founder of the DC Statehood Party Threatened to Release ‘Possum-Size’ Rats in Georgetown
Here’s a bit of D.C. history you may not have heard about, courtesy of the WETA blog Boundary Stones. In the 1960s, D.C. had a rat problem, particularly in its poorer neighborhoods.
Read More -
Stand Up / Free DC Mourns the Passing of Rick Malachi
Members of Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC) are in shock at the sudden passing of one of its youngest, but most committed founding members - DuJuan Ricardo (Rick) Malachi!
Read More -
Passing of Acie Byrd, Jr.
I first met Acie Byrd, Jr. when I joined what was then just a group of people who were organizing out of outrage against the stripping of the powers of the local government by the United States Congress in July of 1997; basically in retribution to the re-election of Mayor…
Read More
- 1
- 2
- 3
Join the Mailing List
Please Donate to Stand Up! (Free DC)
Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC) was founded in 1997 to help 700,000 residents of our nation’s capital achieve full and equal citizenship rights. Stand Up! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax-deductible. Checks and money orders may also be mailed to Stand Up! (Free DC) via Executive Director Anise Jenkins at 4933 - 1st Street NW, Suite #3, Washington, DC 20011 or via Dorothy Height Station, Post Office Box 2152 Washington, DC 20013-2152. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!