WASHINGTON (AP) — D.C. leaders including the mayor took to the streets to protest congressional control of the nation's capital, blocking traffic and getting arrested over a federal budget deal expected to impose renewed restrictions on the city.
Angry that Congress appears ready to take away autonomy granted to the city in the last several years, Mayor Vincent Gray and six Council members, including the chairman, were among 41 people arrested Monday outside the Capitol while protesting the changes. Seven hours later, they were released from jail.
D.C. has a city government, but its budget and laws are subject to Congressional review. Congress has had control over the city since it was founded. District officials say Washington was used as a pawn in last week's budget bargaining, with new restrictions part of the price of a deal.
The district restrictions that were part of the budget deal reached Friday were "completely unacceptable," Gray said.
"We needed to make a statement," Gray said after his release from jail.
http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9MHNU0O1%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011Also see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x866180
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