Bend the Arc was busy in DC last week! On Wednesday, Bend the Arc staff joined our friends JUFJ and other partners to protest Congress and the White House’s decision to undermine the District’s right to self determination by overturning a law passed by the District’s duly-elected government — something that hasn’t happened in decades. The need for DC Statehood could not be more clear.

Our CEO, Jamie Beran, was also in town and got to connect with longtime Bend the Arc PAC endorsees and progressive champions Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Bonnie Watson Coleman. Jamie also attended a reception honoring Jewish Women members of Congress as Women’s History Month began and connected with Sheila Katz, the CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, one of the event’s hosts. Jamie and Sheila are two of the youngest CEOs of national Jewish organizations in the country (only a few of whom are women).

Finally, Jamie attended the first-ever White House Jewish Women's Forum on Thursday, where she connected with Jewish leaders from across the country, including many of our partners in social justice work. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke at the event about the importance of being proudly and joyfully Jewish. Other speakers included Rosie Hidalgo, who leads White House work on gender-based violence, and Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, who spoke about her work on antisemitism.

Bend the Arc is also alarmed by recent announcements from the White House, including on immigration and policing, and we are continuing to communicate those concerns to the Administration.