On November 3rd, when I still hoped that maybe we'd get this pandemic under control, I filled out an application to protest at the Capitol for 51 protestors on January 3rd for #DCStatehood meant to coincide with the moment the new Senate was sworn in.

Due to the pandemic, that application was rejected because the maximum allowable in front of the Capitol was 50.

On November 21st, I resubmitted for a maximum of 50. I was told that if I had even 1 over including the press that I risked people getting arrested.

On December 18th, as hospitals were starting to reach capacity and things would get worse, I withdrew my application for a permit. I felt this city should be in lockdown and could not in good conscience organize something that was outside the scope of those activities.

My question is: For a protest only 3 days after the one that I had planned, how is it that protesters weren't arrested the moment that there were clearly more than 50.