John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Phone: (202) 727-2643
Email: muriel.bowser@dc.gov

Chief of Staff:
Lindsey Parker

City Administrator:
Kevin Donahue

Director of the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel:
Eugene Adams

Senior Advisor:
Beverly Perry

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Affairs:
Jackie Reyes-Yanes

Scheduling Requests:
mayor.dc.gov/page/invite-mayor

May 3, 2024

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians,

For months, we have watched a crisis unfold in the Middle East. Many people in our community have been personally and deeply impacted by the October 7 attacks on Israel and the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. At the same time, we continue to grapple with the scourge of gun violence in our own city – an epidemic that takes a toll on our people and communities.

As we grapple with this unrest, individually and collectively, I want to thank our DC community. Over the past week, with the protests on college campuses, tensions and rhetoric have reached a fever pitch. My gratitude is for a city and a community that has refused to escalate the divisive rhetoric. Our community has been measured with our words and actions; we have lived our DC values and constitutional responsibilities.

I also want to thank our Metropolitan Police Department. We are the nation’s capital and, by design, a place where people come to address the government and their grievances with the government. Over the years, we have developed strategies and expertise in policing demonstrations and First Amendment activities. We support peaceful protests, and I rely on MPD and their experience and expertise to decide what types of interventions are necessary and when. When MPD is called to help, they will always help. And the Chief and her team at MPD will always have the final say on public safety matters, especially how our resources are deployed. I know this: MPD is the best in the business at keeping people safe during protests and demonstrations.

Let me be clear: we will not tolerate violence of any kind; we will monitor and ensure access to streets, parks, and safe and sanitary conditions; and we will continue to be supportive of universities or other private entities who need help. We have, and will continue, regular coordination with GW leadership on the safety of their campus and students.

Thank you for your trust in my leadership in these tough times. Continue to know that we will do the right things to keep our city safe,