In Washington, D.C., we saw what it was like to live under the thumb of a lawless president. While much of the city remained calm and peaceful, President Donald Trump responded to protests demanding racial justice with tear gas and a violent authoritarianism that no American city should face.
No state in our union is subject to the egregious violations of local sovereignty that D.C. endures, let alone this sort of quasi-occupation. But of course, despite residents’ wishes, D.C. is not a state. Our license plates here read “No Taxation Without Representation.” In a 2016 referendum, we voted for statehood in a landslide, with 86% voting in favor. D.C. already has a greater population than Vermont or Wyoming — and continues to grow. D.C. residents pay more in federal taxes than 22 states do. How much longer can we disenfranchise so many Americans?
I hope that Sen. Angus King will come to our aid, sign on to support Senate Bill 631, and endorse statehood for the people of D.C.