Arrests and Hunger Strikes for DC Voting Rights

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)“DC residents are sick and tired of being used as a bargaining chip” said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of DC Vote at Friday’s rally outside the U.S. Capitol. “Congress should respect the wishes of Washingtonians and stop interfering in DC's local affairs." Zherka was joined by dozens of protesters, four of whom were arrested protesting the latest attempt by Congress to exert control over the District’s sovereignty. One arrestee – Adrian Parsons of Occupy DC – was on the ninth day of an ongoing hunger strike for DC voting rights. Citing the “extraordinary bravery of the DC Vote hunger strike protesters,” Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams said that the local labor movement ”has stood with DC Vote from the beginning and we will stand with them until we succeed.” For more information check out DC Vote’s website and follow the hunger strike on Twitter. - photo courtesy of DC Vote