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DC Mayor Arrested at Budget Protest

'I’m tired of being pawn in political game,' grumbles Vince Gray

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 12, 2011 4:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Washington Mayor Vincent Gray and several city council members were among 41 people arrested at a Capitol Hill protest against the budget deal yesterday. Gray and his colleagues were charged with unlawful assembly for blocking passage on the street and were taken to a Capitol Police facility before being released late last night, Politico reports.

The mayor was among hundreds of people who gathered to protest the budget bill's new restrictions on DC, including a measure demanded by Republicans that bans the district from using its own funds on abortion services. "I’m tired of being a pawn in a political game,” Gray said, slamming federal lawmakers for agreeing to the deal without consulting the district. “All we want is to be able to spend our own money.”

Mayor Vincent Gray is led away in handcuffs yesterday after he's busted at a rally protesting funding restrictions on Washington DC.
Mayor Vincent Gray is led away in handcuffs yesterday after he's busted at a rally protesting funding restrictions on Washington DC.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Washington Mayor Vincent Gray marches yesterday at a protest of the restrictions placed on the district as part of the federal budget deal.
Washington Mayor Vincent Gray marches yesterday at a protest of the restrictions placed on the district as part of the federal budget deal.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Mayor Vincent Gray yells yesterday during a rally protesting the federal budget deal.
Mayor Vincent Gray yells yesterday during a rally protesting the federal budget deal.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
kokuaguy
Apr 12, 2011 2:11 PM CDT
Washington resident's don't even have representation with a voting member of Congress. Surely the T-Partiers should be sympathetic to such an injustice.
saucier111
Apr 12, 2011 10:59 AM CDT
What does the GOP stand for G=Government O=Oppression of the P=People
beckjr2000
Apr 12, 2011 9:26 AM CDT
Jail is a good place for Frauds like the Mayor! Taxpayer funds are not allowed to be used for abortions by Law. Despite what this administration is telling people, those Laws also apply to Democrats. No one is making abortions illegal. If you people in D.C. want one, lay off the crack, cocaine, and malt liquor for awhile and pay for it yourself!

 
Washington DC • mayor • budget crisis • Vincent Gray • Vincent Gray arrested

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