Norton Applauds Student Activists for Emancipation Day Rally in Support of D.C.'s Rights

Norton Applauds Student Activists for Emancipation Day Rally in Support of D.C.'s Rights

April 15, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) saluted student activists who planned to hold an Emancipation Day Rally, organized by DC Vote at the Senate Office Buildings today, to protest Taxation Without Representation in the District. The District has no vote in Congress, and had no vote on the 2011 Continuing Resolution (CR), which passed the House and Senate yesterday, although the CR contained two anti-home-rule amendments affecting only the District of Columbia.

Norton, who as a student was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, said that students have a unique role any people's movement. "Students have been at the core of mass movements," said Norton. "With their daring spirit and their freedom from the past, students can lead in ushering change. Youth leadership was pivotal during the civil rights movement and, most recently, during the 2008 presidential election. I applaud students for giving meaning to Emancipation Day by acting to emancipate the District from continuing congressional violation of our rights."