Ward 5 Report January 7th - Insurrection at the Capitol -- Thursday, 01-07-2021

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie <kmcduffie@dccouncil.us>
Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2021 3:14 PM
Subject: Ward 5 Report January 7th - Insurrection at the Capitol

 

View this email in your browser Neighbors, Like you, I am still reeling from yesterday's shocking events at the United States Capitol. Never in my life, could I have imagined that the President of the United States would incite a violent insurrection against our own government, in the heart of our city. Last night, I called on Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th amendment and Congress to begin impeachment proceedings to remove this dangerous despot currently occupying the White House and prevent him from inciting further violence.  I was also struck by the extreme leniency of law enforcement, who in some cases appeared to allow these insurrectionists to enter and ransack our Capitol. The gentle treatment of domestic terrorists is unacceptable and indicative of the double standard in policing that sparked national calls for racial justice and defunding of police departments this summer. We need only look to the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters calling for justice, to see the disparate use of force on full display.  Yesterday also presented yet another example of why DC deserves statehood immediately. Mayor Bowser was required to request national guard presence through the Department of Defense instead of mobilizing them herself as every other Governor can do. It took us hours to coordinate a response with the federal government that would have taken any governor minutes. If DC were a state, we could have responded far quicker and potentially stopped this assault on our democracy.  I hope we can use yesterday's shameful episode to right the wrong of disenfranchisement and make DC the nation's 51st state. In service, Kenyan   In this issue of the Ward 5 Report: Read Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie's full statement condemning the insurrection by Trump supporters at the US Capitol Kenyan in The News Mayor Bowser Declares a 15-day Public Emergency Kenyan in the Community Community News Small Business Spotlight Covid-19 & Vaccine Updates   Read Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie's full statement condemning the insurrection by Trump supporters at the US Capitol   Kenyan in The News   Councilmember McDuffie named one of the country's 8 groundbreaking Black politicians you should know.     Mayor Bowser Declares a 15-day Public Emergency     On Wednesday, Mayor Bowser declared a public emergency in response to the insurrection at the United States Capitol. You can read the Mayor's full public emergency order here.   Kenyan in the Community       Community News       Ward 5 residents Jeanette & Pierpont Mobley, Dr. Kelsey E Colley, John F Tatum, and Franklyn M Malone are the newest inductees into the Washington DC Hall of Fame! Read Councilmember McDuffie's full statement here   On Saturday, Councilmember McDuffie swore in the new and returning Ward 5 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners.    Small Business Spotlight     Rhode Island MainStreet is awarding grants to small businesses. Apply here by January 22nd.          Bridge Fund Grant applications are still being accepted for retail business until January 8th and Entertainment venues until January 11th. Learn more and apply at coronavirus.dc.gov/bridgefund       The application for the Community Grant Program can be found here.       DSLBD and the DCSBDC are partnering to offer technical assistance and support to DC small businesses. Signup for a free information session here   Covid-19 & Vaccine Updates