Newsroom

Today we celebrate and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Under normal circumstances, it would be a National Day of Service where many of us would gather together to pitch in to improve our city, but that looks a lot different this year for a variety of reasons.

I wanted to pull together a wide-ranging update on what Ward 6 neighbors can expect over the next few days and lay out the preparations the District is undertaking.

Last week was a lot to handle. As neighbors of the U.S. Capitol, a dark moment in American history played out on our front lawns. The horror of what we watched was only made worse by our proximity to the events and concern about if it was safe to go to the grocery store or walk the dog.

Text of letter sent from Councilmember Charles Allen to Chief of the US Capitol Police:

Yesterday morning, I joined Acting MPD Chief Robert Contee, HSEMA Director Chris Rodriguez, Attorney General Karl Racine, and all of my Council colleagues for a lengthy briefing on the District’s expectations and preparations for this week’s protests by several white nationalist and militia groups.

Alright, this is (hopefully) the last update from me for 2020.

Today, Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) was asked to continue his leadership as Chair of the Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, as well as take on a leadership role as Co-Chair of the Council’s new Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery.

Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she would be nominating Assistant Chief Robert Contee to lead the Metropolitan Police Department. The Council will need to advise and consent on the Mayor’s nominee, a process that will be led by the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety.

I hope you and your family had a safe Thanksgiving. Because my last newsletter was entirely focused on COVID, there's A LOT of important information below, including time-sensitive info on emergency, one-time $1,200 funding from the District for gig workers and other employees ineligible for traditional unemployment, back payments on missed rent, and bridge funding for restaurants. 

The 2020 Ward 6 Brickie Award Winners: five stories of hope, hard work, and resilience in the face of a global pandemic