Demand a Government Shutdown on September 30 to End Authoritarian Policies

Demand a Government Shutdown on September 30 to End DC Occupation and Authoritarian Republican Policies To the Democrats in the United States Congress, We, the undersigned constituents, urgently call on the Democratic caucus to take a bold and necessary stand by shutting down the government on September 30, 2025. This decisive action is needed to end the ongoing federal occupation of Washington, DC, which undermines local democracy and perpetuates authoritarian policies aggressively pushed by the Republican Party. Over the last six months, the country has witnessed escalating assaults on democratic norms and civil liberties by Republican lawmakers and their allies. The continued use of the Capitol Police and other federal agencies as political tools to suppress progressive movements and silence dissenters is intolerable. Recent events, including the aggressive suppression of protests near the Capitol, increased surveillance and intimidation tactics against activists, and legislative obstruction aimed at restricting voting rights, highlight this troubling trend. Furthermore, the Republican Party has relentlessly pursued policies that threaten basic freedoms, undermine environmental protections, and dangerously escalate inequality. Their obstruction of critical legislation on climate action, healthcare, and social justice reveals their authoritarian agenda, which prioritizes the interests of wealthy elites over the well-being of the American people. By shutting down the government on September 30, Democrats in Congress have an opportunity to disrupt this dangerous status quo and force meaningful negotiations to restore democratic governance to the District of Columbia. Ending the federal occupation will return full self-governance to DC residents, respecting their rights and sovereignty as American citizens. We demand that the Democratic leadership use the power of the purse to halt funding for the federal presence that enables these authoritarian policies and abuses to continue unchallenged. This measure will send a clear message that the erosion of democracy and civil rights will not be tolerated. We call on all Democratic members of Congress to stand united in this fight to protect our democracy, reclaim federal institutions from partisan abuse, and uphold the principles of justice, equality, and freedom that define our nation.