The young and the young-at-heart on Capitol Hill won rare bipartisan support in Congress for their right to sled at the U.S. Capitol.
Even though the weather lately has been more appropriate for sunbathing than sledding, Congress added language into an omnibus spending bill urging the Capitol Police to allow sledding at the Capitol this winter, Roll Call reported.
Last winter, many families participated in an act of civil disobedience by sledding down the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, despite an official ban.
The spending bill passed by Congress doesn’t directly instruct the Capitol Police to lift the ban, but does urge them to look the other way when sledders take to the hill this winter.
ANC Reviews Plans for Apartments, Daycare at Riverside Baptist Church Site in Southwest — PN Hoffman, the company planning to build a 7- to 9-story apartment building at the site of Riverside Baptist Church at 7th Street and Maine Avenue SW, presented plans to ANC 6D that included a daycare and public space. [SWTLQTC]
Dance-Off Between Police Officer and Teen in Southwest Goes Viral — A video shows a Metropolitan Police Department officer in a dance competition with a teen whom the officer was asking to leave the 200 block of K Street SE is being praised as an example of constructive community policing. [Washington Post]
Photos: Congress and Capitol Police Square Off on the Football Field — The U.S. Capitol Police beat members of Congress and former NFL players 7-6 in the seventh Congressional Football Game Wednesday night. [WTOP]
Where to Go to Celebrate Halloween All Weekend — Whether you’re looking for some costumed clubbing or family-friendly fun, we’ve compiled a list of Halloween events across the Capitol Hill area this weekend. [Hill Now]
Mosaic Theater Company Finds Home at Atlas Performing Arts Center — The Mosaic Theater Company of DC, a new socially-conscious theater troupe, is now a resident partner at the Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1333 H St. NE. [Frozen Tropics]
Congress Overlooks Errors by Capitol Police — Despite several embarrassing missteps by the U.S. Capitol Police, Congress has largely ignored problems with their security detail. [Roll Call]
Four Men Arrested in Connection With Several Capitol Hill Armed Robberies — Police arrested four men on Sunday night that they believe could be responsible for several armed robberies in the Capitol Hill area last week. [Hill Now]
The U.S. Capitol Police will square off against a team of Congressmen and former NFL players for the biennial Congressional Football Game on Wednesday.
This year’s game, the seventh charity game held between the Capitol Police and the people they usually protect, will be held at Watkins Recreation Field at 420 12th St. SE at 7 p.m.
The charity match was first held in 2005 as a way to raise money for the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, which benefits the families of Capitol Police officers who have died in the line of duty. This year, in addition to the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, proceeds from the game will also go to Our Military Kids, which provides grants to children of military personnel and A Advantage 4 Kids, a charity that serves families in need in the District.
The U.S. Capitol Police team, the Guards, have won four of the past six matches while the Mean Machine, a team comprised of congressmen and former NFL players, have won one, with one game ending in a tie. The Mean Machine is coached by former NFL players John Booty and Ken Harvey.
Though the game is a friendly two-hand touch match, Booty said that doesn’t mean it isn’t competitive.
“We know the Capitol Police want to keep that trophy,” he said. “And we want to help Congress get the trophy back.” Booty said he has been leading the congressmen in practices on the National Mall at 7 a.m.
Other former NFL players who will play alongside Republican and Democrat congressmen include Shawn Springs, Gary Clark and Herschel Walker. Donna Wilkinson, who plays for the DC Divas in the Women’s Football Alliance will also play for the Mean Machine.
Before the game, the former NFL players will help lead a clinic held by USA Football, a national youth football organization. At the clinic, which is slated to run from 5:45-6:45 p.m., area children will get the chance to practice football drills and conditioning with the former players. Attendees are asked to register for the clinic by emailing [email protected].
DeSean Jackson, wide receiver for the Washington NFL team, will conduct the coin toss before the game, and Hall of Fame running back John Riggins will serve as an honorary captain for the Mean Machine.
Tickets for the game can be purchased for $10 online or at the game.
Photo via CongressionalFootballGame.org
Some parents at an elementary school are signing a letter petitioning Congressional committees to vote down a bill they believe would make their neighborhood less safe.
Local dads from a parent organization at Maury Elementary penned the note in response to Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) proposed “Second Amendment Enforcement Act.”
The act (duplicate bills S.874 and H.R. 1710) would prevent District government from creating any laws restricting the sale of firearms to qualifying buyers and amends D.C. code to authorize local regulation concerning possession and transportation of firearms.
At noon, the petition had over 80 signatures.
“We perceive easy access to firearms in our neighborhoods as a direct threat to the security of our families and are prepared to use every tool of civic power at our disposal to prevent further guns in our neighborhoods,” the letter reads.
Max Bernstein, one of the drafters of the letter and a parent, said he is delivering the letter today to Sen. Ron Johnson and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairmen of the committees scheduled to review the act.
Bernstein said the group does not directly oppose any politicians or the 2nd amendment and that it can be addressed separate from party lines.
“As parents, we don’t want people to be able to carry guns into Maury Elementary school. It’s a safety concern,” Bernstein said. “But what it really comes down to is whether we get to decide what happens in our city, or if its left to someone who’s halfway across the country. We should get to decide what is appropriate for our community.”
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Walkout. pic.twitter.com/zg1guvKmtD
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 11, 2014
Congressional staffers staged a walkout at about 3:30 this afternoon (Thursday) to protest the Michael Brown and Eric Garner grand jury decisions.
Online posts show at least 100 staff members on the steps of the Capitol, holding their hands up.
“Black staffers on Capitol Hill wanted to do something in support of ongoing national and global protests against police aggression,” an organizer told The Daily Beast before the protest.
Congressional staffers stage walkout in protest of Garner and Brown grand jury decisions pic.twitter.com/uotrKs2i1w
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) December 11, 2014
100+ black congressional staffers, several lawmakers stage walkout at US Capitol to protest Garner, Brown cases. pic.twitter.com/WKghW7dveR
— ABC News (@ABC) December 11, 2014
