(Washington, DC) This evening, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, along with Chairman Kwame Brown and five other members of the Council of the District of Columbia (Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, At-Large Councilmember Michael Brown, Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander and At-Large Councilmember Sekou Biddle), were arrested by the US Capitol Police in an act of civil disobedience protesting the congressional budget deal. This deal violated the rights of District residents to autonomy and self-determination. He was arrested for blocking Constitution Avenue, NE, near the Senate office buildings.

As of the release of this statement, he was being processed and is expected to be released around 7:30 pm from the United States Capitol Police warehouse facility, located at 67 K Street SW.

He encourages all residents of the District of Columbia to stand up and take actions aimed at bringing about the end of this long-standing injustice against the District. He urges District residents to educate friends, family members and neighbors on the issues facing our community.

During the protest, the Mayor stated: “This is an absolute travesty. DC deserves to be free,” he said. “All we want to do is spend our own money.”

In speaking about the riders on the bill, he continued, “Why should women in the District of Columbia be subjected to a set of rules that no other woman is subjected to?”

Mayor Gray added: “If we want a school voucher program, we should choose it ourselves.”

District residents are gathering at the 67 K Street facility to greet the Mayor and others who were arrested and applaud them for their courage.