Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. Coalition (a.k.a. Free D.C!)
232-2500 FreeDC.org

Media Alert

For Immediate Release: Contact: Anise Jenkins, (202) 361-9739

June 14, 2007 Joyce Robinson Paul, (202) 462-4908

Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. Coalition (a.k.a. Free D.C!) decries the fact that America is celebrating another Flag Day and Flag Week without D.C.'s 51^st star being added to "Old Glory." Since 1949, when President Harry S. Truman designated June 14^th America's official "Flag Day," each U.S. president has issued a proclamation calling for the display of the Flag of the United States of America on all federal government buildings. Since 1966, the week in which June 14 falls has been proclaimed "Flag Week."

Stand Up! president Anise Jenkins states: "Unlike school children around the country, the District's students are not able to gaze proudly upon the star that represents their native state. Sadly, no action has been taken by the U.S. Congress to recognize D.C.'s 1982 vote for statehood for the District of Columbia. New Columbia is still a dream!"

Stand Up! member, D.C. resident, and mother, Joyce Robinson Paul states: "FREE D.C., stand up for your democracy now. As all American citizens celebrate Flag Day, D.C. residents are the only U.S citizens with no star representing them on the American flag. We pay the highest federal taxes in the U.S.A., but we have no star and no voting representation in the House and Senate. With over 582,049 residents, we deserve to be the 51^st state, with all the benefits of a state. Statehood4DCnow."

In proclaiming Flag Day 2007, President George W. Bush declared: "The American Flag represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of our nation's ideals since the earliest days of our nation. Wherever it flies, we are reminded of America's unity and in the great cause of liberty and justice for all." Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. Coalition will continue that quest for "justice for all" including the people of Washington, D.C. -- the nation's capital.

Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. Coalition (a.k.a. Free D.C!) observes its 10^th anniversary this year by continuing its mission of full and equal rights for the people of Washington, D.C. In 1997, the Coalition was founded to demand full democratic rights for the people of the District of Columbia -- including full voting representation in Congress and local control over the District's budgets, laws, and criminal justice system, as well as to demand that Congress recognize the District's long-standing petition for statehood.

-51-