Arrests and Hunger Strikes for DC Voting Rights
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)“DC residents are sick and tired of being used as a bargaining chip” said
Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of DC Vote at Friday’s rally outside the U.S.
Capitol. “Congress should respect the wishes of Washingtonians and stop
interfering in DC's local affairs." Zherka was joined by dozens of protesters,
four of whom were arrested protesting the latest attempt by Congress to exert
control over the District’s sovereignty. One arrestee – Adrian Parsons of
Occupy DC – was on the ninth day of an ongoing hunger strike for DC voting
rights. Citing the “extraordinary bravery of the DC Vote hunger strike
protesters,” Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams said that the
local labor movement ”has stood with DC Vote from the beginning and we will
stand with them until we succeed.” For more information check out DC Vote’s website and follow the hunger strike
on Twitter. - photo courtesy of DC Vote