Council of the District of Columbia

Committee of the Whole

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

 

TO:                      Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

FROM:              Phil Mendelson, Chairman

DATE:                July 1, 2020

 

               This memorandum is to request that the following measures be placed on the agenda for the July 7, 2020 Legislative Meeting:

 

• PR 23-832, Black Lives Matter Plaza Designation Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2020
• Bill 23-785, Black Lives Matter Plaza Designation Emergency Act of 2020
• Bill 23-786, Black Lives Matter Plaza Designation Temporary Act of 2020

 

               On May 25th, George Floyd, a 46-year old African-American man in Minneapolis, was killed by a police officer who suffocated him with his knee, leading to a wave of protests across the country against racism and police brutality. In response to the protests in D.C. and across the country, and in recognition of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that Black lives do matter, Mayor Muriel Bowser stated publicly that the portion of 16th Street N.W. between H Street N.W. and I Street N.W. should be designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza.  This designation re-affirms the value of the lives and legacy of D.C.’s Black community and re-affirms our commitment to racial justice and equity.

 

               The Council originally adopted the designation by emergency act (Bill 23-776) on June 9, 2020, but that legislation will expire and was not included in an accompanying temporary act.  The measure for next Tuesday will repeal the designation provision of Bill 23-776 and will be retroactive to June 5, 2020, the date the Mayor announced her intent to designate the plaza.  The emergency is necessary because without the accompanying temporary act, the designation will expire shortly after the Council recess.

 

               The measures as introduced are attached.  Please call me or Mr. Evan Cash if you have any questions at (202) 724-7002. 

 

 

cc:          All Councilmembers

               Council Officers

 

 

Evan Cash

Committee and Legislative Director

Committee of the Whole

Chairman Phil Mendelson

 

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Suite 410

Washington, DC 20004

Tel: (202) 724-7002

http://www.chairmanmendelson.com/cow

 

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