The DC Statehood movement continues to gather momentum in the 117th Congress, and there are many ways you can contribute.

• Ask 1 - Yard Signs: Due to overwhelming demand, the statehood organizations have gotten a little behind on delivery, but if you've requested a sign already and it hasn't arrived, don't worry - it's on its way. Still need to request your yard sign? Get yours at https://www.the51st.org/request-a-yard-sign. 
• Ask 2 - State-level Outreach: Do you have friends or family in Alaska, Arizona, Maine, West Virginia, or Utah? Statehood advocates are doing a major push to get constituents to call their Senators about statehood and to get residents to write Letters to the Editor or OpEds for local papers. If you know people in the target states who can help, email [email protected] for details.
• Ask 3 - Employer Support: Statehood advocates are working to get at least 1000 local employers (for profit and nonprofit) on the record supporting statehood. Do you think your employer might be willing to stand up for our right to equal representation? Email [email protected] for next steps.
• DC DSC Statehood Committee Meeting: The next meeting of the DC Democratic State Committee's Statehood Committee takes place NEXT Wednesday, March 10 (the night before the hearing). Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton will be speaking in advance of the hearing, and several Senate staffers will be in attendance. Details and RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/dcdems/event/367791/. 
• H.R. 51 Hearing: Mayor Bowser will be making the case for DC statehood to Members of Congress in a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Thursday, March 11. That morning, Representatives will debate H.R. 51, the bill that proposes making DC the 51st state. NOTE: because of COVID, you cannot attend the hearing in person, but it will be streamed on the Committee’s website. DC Vote is also hosting a virtual watch party - details and RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/U3VErg9VtEihLfuagV6GSw2. 

Want to do EVEN more to show your support for DC Statehood? DC Vote is organizing a "Line the Fence" in-person, physically-distanced event for the morning of March 11. Details and RSVP are at https://www.showup4dc.com. Can you help organize the event? Contact Andria Thomas at [email protected]. 

As we continue to get the Young Dems of Ward 6 off the ground, we're looking for Young Dems in Ward 6 who are interested in taking a more active role in guiding future programming and events. If that's you, contact Frank Avery at [email protected] for details. 

Serve Your City/the Ward 6 Mutual Aid Network and the People For Fairness Coalition have launched DC 101, a monthly political education webinar series to tackle issues around housing justice and the fight for equity. The series will run monthly on Facebook Live on the fourth Monday of the month.

January's topic was housing and development, and featured speakers from Serve Your City, the People For Fairness Coalition, and Brothas Huddle. February's topic was the history of education in DC and the schools reopening plan, and featured DCPS parents and educational leaders.

To be notified of upcoming sessions, follow Serve Your City on Facebook. Recordings of previous sessions are available via Google Drive and on SYC's Facebook page. 

Looking for more ways to support our unhoused neighbors?

• The Brookland Manor Coalition is currently fighting BOTH COVID-19 and displacement. Find out how you can help them here.
• The pandemic has placed incredible pressure on rent-stressed families in our community, and in response, ONE DC is working to cancel rent. Find out how you can support their efforts here.
• If you want to use your voice more effectively for housing justice but aren't sure how to get started, SYC is organizing at the ANC level. Sign up to learn more here.

With the eyes of the nation on DC this past January, the calls for statehood for the District of Columbia are louder than ever. As Young Democrats move into the District - especially here in Ward 6 - many are eager to support the cause. But how can residents - especially new residents with friends and family predominantly outside DC - join the fight for statehood responsibly and effectively?

Join the Young Dems of Ward 6 as we host Bo Shuff, Executive Director of DC Vote, the leading statehood advocacy organization, for an intimate salon-style conversation. We'll cover everything you need to know about the history of the fight for statehood, the current environment, and how you can help DC achieve its long-sought recognition as the 51st state.

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location: Zoom, link provided on registration

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/dcdemsward6/event/373345/

To keep conversations intimate and casual, RSVPs are typically capped around 25 attendees, so don't wait to RSVP (although we will also keep a waitlist should seats open up).

Last Thursday, Swing Left held a nation-wide organizing call to share their strategy for the 2021 state elections in Virginia and the 2022 midterm elections. As founder Ethan Todras-Whitehill noted: "Progress doesn't happen on its own - we have to make it happen," and now is the time for planning, while we await the results of the Virginia state primary this spring and the decennial national redistricting process.

Swing Left's 2021 focus - and ours as well - will be working to keep the legislative and executive branches of the Virginia state government blue. The focus for 2022 will be to protect and hopefully expand Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. This will be a significant task, as it is customary for the party in power to lose seats in the midterms, and Dems have no seats to spare in either chamber. We will need to reverse that trend for President Biden and Vice President Harris to be able to continue to make progress on the policies they were elected to implement. 

As one of the local volunteers on the call pointed out: "Everything we do has impact. There is room for every skill and every strength, so jump in and find a way to contribute to Democratic victories up and down the ballot that works for you." That's good advice, and we'll have more information and options for you to contribute to Democratic victories in Virginia this fall in the months to come. 

Show your support for DC Statehood with a yard / window sign! Here's how to participate:

• Want a single sign? Request it here.
• You can also arrange a pickup from Ankit, one of our Young Dems who lives near the Convention Center.
• Willing to take ten (or more!) signs to distribute to friends and neighbors? Sign up here and we will contact you.

Don't forget to take a picture of your sign and share it on social media, tagging #DCStatehood. Thanks to Neighbors United for DC Statehood, DC Vote, and 51 for 51 for leading and funding this effort. 

With the eyes of the nation on DC this past January, the calls for statehood for the District of Columbia are louder than ever. As Young Democrats move into the District - especially here in Ward 6 - many are eager to support the cause. But how can residents - especially new residents with friends and family predominantly outside DC - join the fight for statehood responsibly and effectively?

Join the Young Dems of Ward 6 as we host Bo Shuff, Executive Director of DC Vote, the leading statehood advocacy organization, for an intimate salon-style conversation. We'll cover everything you need to know about the history of the fight for statehood, the current environment, and how you can help DC achieve its long-sought recognition as the 51st state.

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location: Zoom, link provided on registration

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/dcdemsward6/event/373345/

To keep conversations intimate and casual, RSVPs are typically capped around 25 attendees, so don't wait to RSVP (although we will also keep a waitlist should seats open up). 

Join the Ward 6 Democrats tomorrow night for a salon conversation with Maurice Cook, Executive Director of the Ward 6 Mutual Aid Network.

Serve Your City focuses on advocating to address systemic racism and inequity in DC. They won the 2020 Civic Pride "Brickie" from Councilmember Charles Allen's office; and they have distributed more than $30,000 worth of food to more than 2,000 families; provided students with laptops, backpacks and internet service; and much more. 

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. (note the early start time)

Location: Zoom, link provided on registration 

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/dcdemsward6/event/368845/ 

Mr. Cook will share information about the background of the group, what they mean by "solidarity not charity" and "we keep us safe," and will talk about the particular challenges and needs in our community and what the Ward 6 Mutual Aid Network is doing to address them. There will be time for Q&A with Mr. Cook, and we'll provide information about specific things you can to do help.

Can't make the discussion, but want to support their work? You can contribute directly, purchase specific items to support our unhoused neighbors via their Amazon Wish List, or sign up to be a virtual tutor.

Are you a young professional in Ward 6 who wants to learn about what Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) are and how they work?

Join the Young Dems of Ward 6 for a salon conversation with ANC6A04 Commissioner Amber Gove, who is the chair of ANC6A. Commissioner Gove will cover the basics of what ANCs do and how they work, her experience as a Commissioner, and how young professionals like you can get involved (or maybe even run). Learn more about Commissioner Gove at The Hill Is Home.

Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location: Zoom, link provided on registration

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/dcdemsward6/event/370999/

Space is limited to 15 participants and exclusively to Young Dems of Ward 6 (age 36 and under), so RSVP right away to secure your spot!

The horrific attack on the Capitol of January 6 has brought new focus to the need for DC Statehood, not only within our local area, but across the nation. Our fellow Americans were able to see the impact of our lack of equal representation and self-determination on their own TV screens as they watched right-wing insurrectionists seize control of the US Capitol building, with DC local government and law enforcement limited in their ability to protect DC residents. 

NOW is the time to get involved to support the DC Statehood movement:

• Want to show your support publicly? Request your yard sign by contacting Andria.
• Do you have connections in Arizona, Maine, or West Virginia? Help advocate to get Senators Joe Manchin (WV), Angus King (ME), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), and Mark Kelly (AZ) on the record supporting DC Statehood by contacting Emily.
• Do you have connections in DC's business or nonprofit communities? Help advocate to get local businesses and nonprofits to publicly support of DC Statehood by contacting Emily.
• Do you have connections with state-level elected officials, particularly in New Jersey or Virginia? Help advocate to get them on the record supporting DC Statehood by contacting Noah. 
• Join the 51st State Virtual Inauguration Celebration, Friday, January 22 - details and RSVP here.
• Mark your calendar for the next DC Democratic State Committee Statehood Committee meeting, Wednesday, February 10 - details and RSVP here.