Read this week's #Ward4 Dispatch: Shine Safely, Senior Tax Aggregation, and Takoma Park Street Festival ⤵️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

Senior Jubilee was amazing! 💜 Loved seeing so many members of our senior community come out to dance, share joy, and show #Ward4’s community spirit. Special thanks to all the agencies, organizations, and volunteers who made it all possible!

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month!   This month, we celebrate the incredible contributions workers with disabilities bring to the workplace and renew our commitment to taking down barriers many face in jobs and seeking employment.

To all our Jewish neighbors observing #YomKippur, wishing you a meaningful fast and a peaceful holy day of reflection.   G'Mar Chatimah Tovah!

During a time when our norms and rights are under attack, it's up to local governments to reinforce the rights of our people and fight back with every tool we have.
 
Read my full op-ed with @cd13.lacity.gov @andrefor40th.bsky.social @localprogress.bsky.social: ⬇️ www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Today, Congress triggered a government shutdown amid a MAGA push to slash healthcare subsidies for more than 20 million Americans.   While District services will continue operating as normal, this is yet another reminder of the damage federal actions are having on our community.

Congratulations to Alex Akalu, our newest #Ward4 ANC commissioner representing SMD 4A06!   Looking forward to working with Commissioner Akalu to advocate for the needs of our #Brightwood community. Thank you for stepping up to serve!

What an amazing Caribbean Family Fun Day today in #Takoma! Loved seeing our community shine and celebrate the rich Caribbean heritage and joy that makes #Ward4 special.   Thanks to the Jamaican Nationals Association, MOCCA and all of today's sponsors for making the event possible!

Today, we officially designated Ron Austin Memorial Park in #ManorPark. 🌳 Ron was a longtime public servant, ANC commissioner, and advocate who dedicated his life to improving the lives of neighbors.

This week's #Ward4 Dispatch: STEER Act Accountability, Senior Jubilee, and Ron Austin Memorial Park ⬇️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

Had a great time on Hearing the Council this week to discuss why supporting our local news outlets is so essential for a healthy democracy.   Thanks @councilofdc.bsky.social for having me on!   ▶️ Watch the full episode: youtu.be/Mjufh-Dz8-w

Amazed by our Coolidge NAF Academy of Health Sciences students, who held a community blood drive & gathered organizations from across DC to share resources.   Thank you to @erinpalmerdc.bsky.social & @lwvsf.bsky.social for bringing civic engagement to our next generation of health professionals. 🩺🥼

I was honored to celebrate the re-launch of ASKDC.org — an accessible, mobile-friendly, and multilingual resource of knowledge and support for survivors of sexual violence. Congratulations to the DC Coalition to End Sexual Violence on re-launching this resource and 10 years of ASK DC!

For too long, out-of-state drivers have been able to rack up thousands of dollars in traffic violations without facing consequences for putting our residents in danger. Thanks to the STEER Act and under @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social's leadership, we are now holding these drivers accountable.

To everyone in our community celebrating #RoshHashanah, sharing wishes for a new year filled with peace, joy, and community.   Shanah Tovah U’metukah! 🍎🍯

Chevy Chase Day had it all! Music, local vendors, performances from outstanding artists, and amazing community spirit. ☀️🎸💃🏾 Thanks to CCCA, Chevy Chase Main Street, ANC 3/4G, and everyone who showed out to make the day a success!

Read this week's #Ward4 Dispatch: Final RFK Deal, Fighting for Tenants, and Chevy Chase Day ⬇️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

We just wrapped up our final vote on the RENTAL Act.    While we made real improvements on the initial bill, the final version is far from a real reckoning with the issues facing DC residents.   If we want to truly solve DC's housing crisis, our work is cut out for us. 🧵

Through hard work and negotiation we have secured a number of important commitments in the RFK campus redevelopment deal. As this plan moves forward, I will be fighting to make sure it delivers on the investment our city is making. DC residents deserve nothing less.

Today, we voted to designate the Connecticut Ave Bridge as Judith Heumann Memorial Bridge.   Known as the "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement," Judith helped craft the Americans with Disabilities Act and served as the first director of DC's Department on Disability Services.

My statement on 31 House Democrats voting with Trump yesterday to approve H.R. 4922:

To the House Democrats who voted with Trump: I would never vote to strip your residents of their rights or subject them to harsher penalties against their will. Supporting democracy means respecting the will of the people—no exceptions.

Across DC, there are hundreds of relative caregivers who step up to raise kids when families face hardship — and deserve the same protections and support as any other parent.   Proud to stand alongside DC KinCare Alliance to underscore our appreciation and support for hero kin caregivers.

#Ward4 showed out for Art All Night! 🎭🎷🎨   Always amazed by the talent of our local artists, musicians, and creators.   Grateful to all the neighbors who joined to support our local businesses and show what our community is all about.

Hispanic heritage is DC's and our nation's heritage.   From our schools to our small businesses, we're committed to growing opportunity, protecting, and uplifting our Hispanic neighbors.   Happy #HispanicHeritageMonth, DC!

This week's #Ward4 Dispatch: Fall Legislative Session Begins, DC Marches Against Occupation, and Art All Night This Weekend ⬇️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

Art All Night kicks off tonight! 🎸💃🏽🎨 One of #Ward4 and DC’s best events of the year is a great opportunity to enjoy local art, music, and culture, and show your support for our local businesses and Main Streets. Check out the full lineup of events ➡️ dcartallnight.org

May this Ethiopian New Year bring joy, hope, and renewal to everyone in our community and around the world. መልካም አዲስ ዓመት Happy New Year!

24 years ago, our nation faced an unimaginable tragedy. Today we remember the lives lost on September 11th and honor the heroes who ran toward danger to save others. Their memory calls on us to continue building a more peaceful and just world.

Today, the House is marking up more than a dozen bills aimed at seizing control over District governance.   The bills include efforts to replace our locally elected Attorney General with a Trump appointee and further erode our ability to spend local taxpayer funds. 🧵

Yesterday's Senior Fair at Riggs-LaSalle was a success! Huge thanks to AKA and DACL for helping make it possible.   Grateful to all the agencies and community partners who showed up to share resources and support our #Ward4 seniors in living well and thriving.

This weekend was nothing short of incredible. Inspired by thousands marching against the Trump administration’s federal occupation. In DC, we know our power – because the power lives with the people. And we will use our power to fight back & ensure our rights are upheld. @freedcproject.bsky.social

📢 Calling #Ward4 seniors! Tomorrow morning, I'm partnering with AKA and DACL to host a Senior Fair at Riggs-LaSalle Community Center.   There will be health resources and screenings, financial and retirement planning info, gift card giveaways, and more. See you there!

Read this week's #Ward4 Dispatch: DC Sues Trump Administration, Resources for DCPS Families, and Get Ready for Art All Night ⬇️ janeeseward4.com/ward-4-dispa...

This is not just DC's fight. This is America's fight, and we need everyone in it with us.   Grateful to @freedcproject.bsky.social for their leadership on the ground and all our allies in Congress for standing against attacks on DC autonomy.

My statement on the lawsuit filed today by @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social:

I wholeheartedly support @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social’s decisive legal action to combat the reckless deployment of National Guard troops in DC. Now is the time for us to stand unified and use every legal tool at our disposal to stand up for District autonomy.

This morning, my colleagues and I visited the Capitol to discuss the current federal emergency and how we can protect DC Home Rule. Thank you @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social for listening to District residents' concerns and supporting our fight against the Trump administration's authoritarian attacks.

Labor Day is a celebration of the power of collective action and the workers in DC who have fought for the labor protections we have today. As workers across the District continue to be put at risk by attacks on DC’s autonomy, today, we draw strength from our history of progress through solidarity.

It was a pleasure to talk with The Politics Hour crew at @wamu.org about the federal occupation and what DC’s leaders should be doing to meet this moment.

Listen in today at noon to The Politics Hour on @wamu.org where I’ll be talking about the federal occupation and what communities are doing to protect our neighborhoods.

I was overjoyed to celebrate Truesdell Elementary’s new state-of-the-art, Net Zero Energy building at its ribbon cutting ceremony today! Congratulations to Principal Foster, the Truesdell FTO, @dcpublicschools.bsky.social, DGS, ANC4D and the Truesdell community whose input shaped this vibrant space.

UPDATE: Our Ward 4 neighbor has been released & retrieved his car this morning. Thank you to our neighbors for showing up in numbers. This is how we get through this: we keep fighting, we keep showing up, we keep recording, we keep speaking out, and we keep organizing! We keep us safe.

#Ward4 neighbors: please don't order any food delivery right now if you can help it. Delivery drivers are being targeted heavily in our neighborhoods.

Just leaving the scene of yet another neighbor being taken today. Delivering food to a neighbor, stopped, surrounded by multiple agencies of law enforcement and arrested. No pretext.

DC has not had cash bail since 1992. We’ve been collecting data. In FY23, 92% of individuals released pretrial were not arrested for a new offense. www.courtexcellence.org/news-items/2...

Every year, one of my favorite traditions is handing out pencils to DCPS students on their first day of school. It was a joy to visit Truesdell Elementary this morning to cheer on our Ward 4 scholars and see their excitement ahead of starting classes. Wishing all our students a great year ahead!

But hey, don't take it from us... in a new op-ed, @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social argues the need for public investment in local news is dire. 51st.news/opinion-dc-m...

Happy First Day of School to DC's incredible students and educators! Here's to a bright year ahead!

DC students head back to school on Monday! 🎒 Here’s some helpful transit tips to make sure your first day back is a success.