About 500 DC Statehood activists gathered in Freedom Plaza Friday morning to rally for DC Statehood and protest the payment of federal income taxes without the benefit of Congressional representation. Friday was April 15th, traditionally the day income taxes are due. Since DC Emancipation Day fell on a Saturday this year, DC government took Friday as a holiday for Emancipation Day, and many DC children were off from school and came to the rally.
The rally affirmed DC residents' longterm struggle for DC Statehood. After listening to speeches and music, the marchers gathered in the southeast corner of Freedom Plaza to march up Pennsylvania Avenue. More people joined the march as it moved up the avenue and got closer to the Capitol. They arrived at the US Capitol to the welcoming people of Democracy Awakening who are in DC this week to protest money in elections. More speeches were made in front of the Capitol calling for DC Statehood. Statehood Activists are in it for the long haul, and know the struggle is far from over.
DC Statehood activists march to the US Capitol in protest of paying federal income taxes without the benefit of Congressional representation Friday, April 15, 2016. /Photo by Nancy Shia @nancy_shia
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| DC community activist Perry Redd and Howard University professor David Schwartzman proudly represent the DC Statehood Green Party at the rally for DC Statehood and protest against paying federal income taxes without Congressional representation, in Freedom Plaza Friday, April 15, 2016. /Photo by Nancy Shia @nancy_shia |
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| Six-year-old DC resident Lakaiela Dolmon waves the flag of DC from the stage in Freedom Plaza at a protest against federal taxation without representation and a rally for DC Statehood Friday, April 15, 2016. /Photo by Nancy Shia @nancy_shi |
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