Washington, D.C.'s Mayor Arrested at Protest Against the Budget Compromise

[Better Believe It]

Capitol Police arrest DC mayor at rally against budget deal
By Debbie Siegelbaum
April 11, 2011

Capitol Police arrested dozens of protesters conducting a rally on Capitol Hill against Washington, D.C.-related riders in the new 2011 budget deal.

Washington Mayor Vincent Gray, Council Chairman Kwame Brown, Ward 4 Councilwoman Muriel Bowser and Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells were among the 41 people who were arrested after protesters blocked Constitution Avenue.

Organized by the voting-rights group DC Vote, the rally aimed to send a message to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and President Obama: Don’t “sacrifice” the rights of D.C. residents to get a deal on the budget.

Norton publicly chastised Republicans recently for pushing for a policy rider that would stop local taxpayer funds from paying for abortions in the District. A second rider would revive a voucher program, pushed by Boehner, that Gray has said is being “foisted” on the District.

Read the full article at:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/155349-police-beging-arresting-protesters-at-dc-rally-against-budget-riders


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Washington, D.C.'s Mayor Arrested at Protest Against the Budget Compromise
By David Weigel
April 11, 2011



That's Vincent Gray, D.C.'s new mayor -- nationally known, perhaps, as the man who unseated Michelle Rhee's boss -- being handcuffed after protesting the D.C. riders in the budget compromise. Gray stood outside the Hart and Dirksen Senate offices for about an hour, blocking traffic, along with several members of the D.C. city council. The protest began outside Hart because that's where Sen. Harry Reid's office is.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/04/11/d-c-s-mayor-arrested-protesting-the-budget-compromise.aspx

[Better Believe It]

1. Kick

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3. A Spine. Ask him to run for President, please. n/t

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4. wow. K&R

[Better Believe It]

5. DC Mayor Gray Arrested: Finally a Leader In Washington DC Finds His Shoes

DC Mayor Gray Arrested: Finally a Leader In Washington DC Finds His Shoes
By: bmaz
April 11, 2011

we see what real Democratic leadership in Washington DC looks like when the rights of their citizens and constituents are being trampled on. District of Columbia Mayor Mayor Vincent Gray and other DC Council members found their shoes, took to the street to protest the wrongs occasioned upon the District and its women by the budget compromise that Mr. Obama applauded and congratulated himself over late Friday night.

Mayor Gray and council members Brown, Alexander, Wells, Bowser and Brown not only found their shoes and their voice to stand up for the people they represent, they were willing to put their physical liberty on the line to do so. Gray et. al should be congratulated for this principled stand.

There is a lesson to be learned here by other inhabitants of our nation’s capitol.

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2011/04/11/dc-mayor-gray-arrested-finally-a-leader-in-washington-dc-find-his-shoes/

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