Washington, DC. Today, DC Vote sent a letter signed by 77 organizations to Congress urging members to reject President Donald Trump’s attempted takeover of DC and cosponsor and pass the DC statehood bill instead. The letter may be found here.

The co-signing organizations include local and national groups that focus on democracy, voting rights, good governance, and other issue areas that are important to people throughout the nation. They are united in their support of equality for DC residents and the belief that full equality can only be achieved through DC statehood.

“There is no crime emergency in DC,” said Jack Jacobson, Board Chair of DC Vote. “Trump used street crime as a pretext to begin his long-promised takeover of DC. Congress must reject that effort.”

Trump ally and US Attorney Pirro announced that her office is no longer prosecuting people who are illegally carrying rifles and shotguns in DC. “Pirro’s actions will make DC streets more dangerous, not safer,” added Jacobson.

President Trump is attempting to extend his takeover of DC’s police department and make other changes to DC’s home rule. Members of his party in Congress are working to make those changes possible. Moreover, his allies in multiple states have sent National Guard soldiers to DC to aid Trump’s effort even though there is no need for them.

“These additional soldiers are advancing a political agenda, not reducing crime,” added Ilir Zherka, Interim Executive Director of DC Vote. “President’s actions and the support he is receiving from his allies makes clear once again that people in DC are second class citizens in their own country. The answer to Trump’s takeover isn’t just a rejection of his effort, it is to make Washington, DC the 51st state.”