ACS Arizona: AZ to DC: The Path to DC Statehood

As Arizona celebrates its 110th Statehood Day, ACS is hosting a conversation about the ongoing effort to make Washington DC the 51st state and the role Arizonans play in that effort. 

The District of Columbia is the only political and geographical entity within the United States of America whose citizens bear the responsibilities of citizenship, including taxation and Selective Service registration, without sharing in the full rights and privileges of citizenship. 

While 86% of DC voters approved a 2016 referendum to authorize their city council to petition Congress for Statehood, the people of DC don't control their own destiny. Statehood can only happen with the support of Congress, and since the 700,000 residents of DC don't have representation the support of elected leaders and voters in other states is essential.

Our panel will cover Constitutional issues, the history of DC Statehood, the role race has played in the fight against statehood, and what needs to happen to add a 51st state.

Speakers:

Reginald Bolding, Democratic Leader Arizona House of Representatives

Victoria López, Advocacy and Legal Director, ACLU of Arizona

Paul Eckstein, Partner, Perkins Coie & Constitutional Law Professor, ASU

Kathryn Smith, Activist, Educator, Air Force Veteran

Bo Shuff, Executive Director, DC Vote

Register here.