American Federation of Teachers, Stand Up America, Blue Future Join Grassroots Push for D.C. Statehood
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 13, 2019
CONTACT:
press@51for51.org
American Federation of Teachers, Stand Up America, Blue Future Join Grassroots Push for D.C. Statehood
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Teachers, progressive advocates and youth-led grassroots organizations today announced they are joining efforts to make the District of Columbia the 51st state with 51 votes in the Senate.
The new partners are joining the 51 for 51 coalition — a local and national grassroots campaign advocating for D.C. to become a state with a simple majority in the U.S. Senate. This path to statehood is the only real solution toward making enfranchisement for the 700,000 taxpaying residents of the district a reality.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten recognized that the movement is gaining serious momentum.
“Democracy requires fair representation. But the residents of Washington, D.C. don’t have that. D.C. residents need, at the very least, a voting voice in Congress. A simple majority in the Senate could give 700,00 more educators, nurses, government workers and other D.C. residents a say in how their country works—and that’s a powerful tool they should’ve had all along,” Weingarten said.
Other partners include Blue Future and Stand Up America.
As of this week, nine presidential candidates have voiced their support for the campaign, including:
- Senator Elizabeth Warren
- Mayor Pete Buttigieg
- Andrew Yang
- Congressman Eric Swalwell
- Congressman Tim Ryan
- Governor Steve Bullock
- Congressman John Delaney
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
- Governor Jay Inslee
The coalition plans to travel to states with early presidential primaries, on behalf of their partners, to ensure D.C. statehood is made a priority in the 2020 issues debate.
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51 for 51 is a coalition comprised of DC-based and national groups committed to equal representation rights for D.C.’s over 700,000 residents. The coalition of about 20 progressive groups say 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