Join us for DC Emancipation Advocacy Day from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Friday, April 16 at U.S. Capitol Building, Capitol Visitors Center, room HVC-215. As the District's only official local holiday, DC Emancipation Day commemorates the day in 1862 on which President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act to free the 3,100 enslaved people of Washington, DC.

On this day of celebration and unity, we must remember that DC residents are the only Americans who pay full federal taxes, fight and die in wars and serve on juries, but still do not have full congressional representation and full local control over local issues. This year DC Vote needs your help advocating on the Hill for current legislation that will bring DC closer to achieving full democracy.

It seemed that the District was closer than ever been in its quest to obtain voting representation in Congress. However a late amendment to the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009 offered by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) called the Second Amendment Enforcement Act sought to strip the District government from enacting “laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms.” When the amendment passed, a divide was created among those campaigning for DC voting rights, with some believing that an accommodation could be reached with pro-gun Democrats, and others insisting that a vote in Congress could not come at the expense of public safety or the broader democratic rights of District residents.

As a result, on June 9, Senate Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced that the legislation would not move forward, saying, “There is not a consensus among the leadership of the District of Columbia on this issue as I understand it. And as a result of there not being consensus, I don't think we're going to be able to move the bill at this point in time.”

Following a lively community-wide meeting in January, join JUFJ and other local groups to plan some more Jewish support for DC voting rights at this exciting political time. All are welcome!

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and to answer the call to service by President- elect Barack Obama,  Jew United for Justice invites all citizens to join together for  DC voting rights in Congress.  

Dr. King went to to jail 40 years ago so all Americans would have the right to vote.  Here in DC,  the nations capitol, the citizens have no voting representation in Congress.   We are on the cusp of winning our full rights, and need  you to help.

After a quick training, you will be put into a team to gather postcards signed by Americans from all over DC who are visiting for the inauguration.   Its a fun activity that serves a serious problem and addresses the root cause of inequality in DC.

Sign up to attend online! http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/dayofservicejanuary19/4vfb2 

Join us as we report back on outreach to rabbis and congregations, and plan for a Jewish community-wide on DC voting rights. All are welcome, including newcomers to this working group.

Join the DC Vote Coalition, including JUFJ, in calling for representation for the District of Columbia, just a week after the 2008 election and in observance of Veteran's Day. Learn more by visiting http://www.dcvote.org/events/event.cfm?eventID=423.

If you can join the JUFJ contingent on your lunch break that day, please email darya@jufj.org.

Help us work out a strategy for outreach to rabbis on the importance of winning the right to vote for DC. All are welcome!

DC's vibrant Jewish community, despite its strong involvement in civil life, is excluded from the basic American right of voting for its leaders. Join us as we take to the streets to educate out-of-town guests about DC's taxation without representation!