Washington, D.C. — The actions by Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, and Republican governors further threaten our fundamental freedoms, risk our democracy, and require a response from all of us. As a result, Jobs with Justice issued the following statement:
The Trump administration’s recent militarization of our nation’s capital is a dangerous escalation that threatens the fundamental freedoms of the more than 700,000 people who call Washington, D.C., home.
This administration is using racist dog whistles to justify the attempted takeover of this majority Black city and further militarization of other Black-led cities across our nation. Under the direction of President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, thousands of law enforcement officers are empowered to surveil, harass, intimidate, and arrest anyone they deem suspicious under the guise of safety.
If Trump was serious about safety or the well-being of our nation’s residents, he would reverse the mass firing of public sector workers, order ICE to stop kidnapping our immigrant neighbors, and fund vital services like public schools, Medicaid, and SNAP.
Unlike the 50 states that make up the United States, Washington, D.C., lacks the basic protections from an authoritarian president, committed to entrenching himself in power. Trump has deployed the National Guard and called on Republican governors to deploy their own Guard to D.C.. Several governors have welcomed Trump’s request and issued deployment orders of their own. Trump is doing this against the will of D.C.’s local elected leaders and demands of local DC residents. Trump has made it clear he wants to further erode our freedom of movement, speech, and expression. The very act of leaving one’s home to go to work or pick up one’s kids from school puts D.C. residents–especially Black and brown residents–at risk.
In the face of this, we see working people continue to lead the fight against fascism and come together to protect our neighbors and our freedoms. They’re peacefully standing up to rising authoritarianism in our nation’s capital. Expressing their fundamental freedoms of speech, expression, and assembly, DC residents are protesting police actions and the presence of the National Guard, organizing marches, filming the actions of law enforcement, and standing up to ICE before raids happen.
It’s empowering.
What Donald Trump is doing in Washington, D.C. is clearly a trial for similar actions in other cities. Earlier this year, Trump took control of the California National Guard, deploying both the Guard and Marines into Los Angeles, all to provide cover for ICE raids.
They’re doing the same in D.C.
Now, it’s our time. We’re calling on Congress to end the occupation of D.C. and calling on communities to rally together and see this as a critical moment in our efforts to build a true democracy. From the shop floor, to community gatherings, and the ballot box, democracy is not something that we can take for granted. We, the people, are ready to unite, organize, and fight authoritarianism in all its forms.”
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