April 21, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jay Carmona

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

202-724-8089

*****PRESS RELEASE*****PRESS RELEASE*****

Councilmember Cheh Arrested in DC Statehood Protest

Washington, DC –District Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh was arrested in an act of civil disobedience today at a protest on Capitol Hill. The rally, organized by DCVote and led by other prominent District Leaders, was the latest in a series of protests of federal interference in Home Rule as the House brings H.R. 3, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” to the floor. H.R. 3 would make permanent a federally-imposed ban on the use of local funds for abortions.

“I am proud to join the people today and my colleagues on the Council who were arrested last month in standing up for Home Rule and against Congressional meddling in the District budget,” said Cheh of her arrest. “We must do everything we can at this critical juncture to oppose H.R. 3 and support the Budget Autonomy Act Delegate Norton has introduced.”

The Councilmember was arrested with a group of prominent District Women who support DC statehood and budget autonomy, and she vowed her support for H.R. 345, the “District of Columbia Autonomy Act of 2011,” a bill introduced by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, which would eliminate all federally-imposed mandates over the local budget process and financial management of the District of Columbia.

“I willingly go to jail today so that the people of the District can, like all other U.S. citizens, control their own lives,” said Cheh.

# # #