Photo by THIH Flickr Pool User jsmjr
I know this feature is usually called “5 Questions” but I couldn’t choose one to cut out. On Monday evening, John Klenert was arrested with 40 others (including Mayor Vincent Gray and Ward 6 councilmember Tommy Wells) for protesting on Constitution Avenue in response to the Congressional Budget Compromise. John is a long time activist for DC Voting Rights.
1) How did you feel when you heard about the way in which DC was used as part of the Congressional budget compromise?
As an eternal Democrat and resident of the District of Columbia since 1967, I felt stabbed in the back for the first time by the President. His cavalier treatment of the people of our nation’s capital as a budget bargaining chip was callous. He owes us an apology.
2) When and why did you get involved with
DC Vote?
I got involved with
DC Vote about six years ago when I was asked to join its Board of Directors. Right now I am on a one-year hiatus required by its term limits rule in its bylaws. I had been interested in all the home rule issues since I arrived here for my college years at Catholic University.
3) What were you hoping to accomplish by attending the rally?
I hoped that our actions would light a fire among our fellow citizens to become more vocal and engaged in our battle for equal rights as fellow Americans. I hoped the national media would also pick up on our issues and educate those not living here about the basic injustices we live with here in the District.
4) At what point did you decide that you were going to stay in the middle of Constitution Ave (and thus, get arrested)?
Oh, I knew before going I was going to be arrested!!. What surprised me were the numbers of us who also joined in the process. I am proud to be Number 35 of the DC 41.
5) Describe your experience between getting arrested and being released.
First of all, I need to salute how professional, polite and even engaging the Capitol Hill Police Department officers were. That said, once we arrived at their SW center the process was almost Keystone Kop-like. NO computers were used…paper forms upon paper forms. Also, running our names through various databases took forever due to computer “issues.” One Capitol Police official told us that they were not accustomed to so many people and communications between their higher ups and Metropolitan Police were challenging also. I hope the City Council and the congressional offices responsible for Homeland Security review all that happened.
6) What happens now?
Simple answer…the battle continues. We want the right to spend our local tax revenues as we see fit. I often wonder how the people who live in Annapolis or Richmond or other State capitals would feel if THEIR legislatures suddenly took over and abolished their rights. Will we ever get the right to name our own judges? Will we ever get voting rights in both houses of Congress? Will we get the right to participate in the Constitutional Amendment process? All this and more will take time, citizen engagement and unfortunately money. However, justice will prevail.
This argument seems so frivolous to me.
Was this about home rule, voting rights, or was it about tax payer funded abortions? Or (call me a cynic) was it about Gray and Brown trying to distract voters from their ethical troubles?
First, every single voting Member of the House and Senate had something in the budget they didn’t like. Was that stabbing them all in the back? Things get bargained all the time, that is the whole point of politics. It is incredible how many people who live in DC are so politically naive.
Having a voting Member in the House will not help the quality of life of anyone in the district one iota. You know what will? What we already have the power to do: reduce crime, improve schools, reduce corruption amongst elected officials, and promote economic growth.
Readers of this blog, ask your relatives who don’t live in DC how much having a voting Member of Congress helps their life? If anyone can find one example, i’d love to hear it.
Only in the city of Marion Barry could a leader getting arrested actually DISTRACT from other political troubles hahaha!!
I guess I find it nice that some people are willing to get arrested for such a lost cause. As I’ve said before: prove to legislators why D.C. rights matter, then you might have a chance. Otherwise, it’s the same tug-of-war it has always been.