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To: WMATA

WMATA: No Private Trains for Nazis

Reports have surfaced that DC's "Metro is considering providing separate trains for participants of the “Unite the Right” white-nationalist rally Aug. 12." This is absurd and we say NO.

We want WMATA to drop this plan and we also want them to issue a strong statement against it and expressing solidarity with WMATA workers who exposed this.

Why is this important?

According to NBC Washington: "Metro is considering providing separate trains for opposing groups when demonstrators come to Washington, D.C., for a 'Unite the Right' rally Aug. 12, the chairman of the transit agency's board said."

I can't believe we need to state this, but DC residents REFUSE to accommodate the violent and repugnant white nationalists who want to bring their hate from Charlottesville (and around the country) to DC. White supremacists are not welcome here.

Most importantly: We stand in solidarity with WMATA workers -- especially people of color -- in opposing this concept. The ATU Local 689's president said: "Local 689 is proud to provide transit to everyone for the many events we have in D.C... We draw the line at giving special accommodation to hate groups and hate speech, especially considering that the courts granted Metro the ability to deny ads on buses and trains that are ‘issue-oriented,’ we find it hypocritical for Mr. Wiedefeld to make these unprecedented special accommodations for a hate group."

Updates

2018-08-06 07:22:52 -0700

UPDATE! The Washington Post reports: "Metro Board Chairman Jack Evans [says]: 'Metro will not be providing a special train or special car for anyone next Sunday.'"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2018/08/04/metro-no-longer-considering-separate-trains-for-white-nationalists-attending-unite-the-right-rally/

However, a WaPo transportation reporter has noted that Metro itself has not given a straight answer on this question: https://twitter.com/faizsays/status/1026186987710152709

2018-08-04 12:58:31 -0700

100 signatures reached

2018-08-04 09:00:53 -0700

50 signatures reached

2018-08-04 08:26:57 -0700

Additional reporting on this issue:

WAMU: https://wamu.org/story/18/08/03/unite-right-rallygoers-may-get-private-metro-cars-union-says/

NBC Washington: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Planning-for-Unite-the-Right-Rally-490010251.html

WJLA: https://wjla.com/news/local/hate-group-metro-unite-the-right-rally-dc

2018-08-04 07:28:47 -0700

25 signatures reached

2018-08-04 06:58:06 -0700

10 signatures reached

2018-08-04 06:23:39 -0700

For more background, here is WaPo's coverage of this possible plan: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2018/08/03/metro-considering-private-trains-for-white-nationalists-attending-unite-the-right-rally-union-says