Democracy in the District of Columbia is under assault. The United States Congress overturned the Revised Criminal Code enacted by the District of Columbia Council. This long-needed modernization of the criminal code was the result of a years-long process that engaged stakeholders throughout the City and was designed to clarify and rationalize the code. It was defeated by misinformation and demagoguery. It was far from the “soft on crime” bill that it was made out to be. Congress is set to again over-rule the duly elected officials of the District of Columbia as there is a move to disapprove legislation imposing critical accountability on Metropolitan Police Department officers. 

This is not just an issue of District home rule, but these steps are being taken against the backdrop of attacks on Black governance across the nation.  The State of Mississippi is taking over policing of Jackson, a Black led City, the Missouri Attorney General is seeking to remove the Black elected prosecutor in St. Louis, and progressive prosecutors are under assault in at least ten other jurisdictions, and the Supreme Court continues to gut the Voting Rights Act. 

The Committee was proud to join the effort to protect the Revised Criminal Code and to be part of the fight for police accountability. We are committed to the struggle for DC self-determination. We hope that you will join us at this critical time. 
 

Jonathan M. Smith
Executive Director