Why should the rest of the country care about what happens in DC?
DC is all of us. We are citizens just like those in other states who should have the same rights and responsibilities of self-governance as the rest of the country.
An attack on our civil liberties should be an affront to all other citizens who value our democracy.
These bills are a concrete, time-bound instance that requires a response from those who have representation.
This seems like a lot of energy over a few bills. Wouldn't DC Statehood be a more meaningful goal?
DC should absolutely be granted statehood. So should Puerto Rico. Both would make real the promise of our Declaration of Independence for these communities.
But there is not the political will to accomplish this now.
The immediate task at hand is to prevent further democratic backsliding in the District by defeating these bills that would further disempower citizens of our country.
Is this legislation really that bad?
Any legislation that curtails home rule is undemocratic by nature - and these 13 bills significantly affect DC's ability to govern itself.
Wait...who the heck are you anyway?
I'm just a guy. A dad of a 9-year-old. A 20+ year resident of the District and a proud of native of Seattle, Washigton. I'm not affiliated with any organization. I'm just a concerned citizen trying to walk the walk - as it were.
I hope you find some inspiration in what I'm doing to motivate your own efforts to make our country a more perfect union.
Where did you get the idea for the walk?
My son introduced me to Ryan Trahan's I crossed America with $0.01 YouTube challenge that raised money to combat hunger. I thought it was brilliant. And while I won't be live streaming my entire walk, I will be posting regular updates along the way.
The walk also hearkens back to Civil Rights marches of the past. To be clear, I am not comparing this walk or myself to those icons -- but my steps will absolutely be inspired by them.
Are you really walking one mile on each state avenue?
Yep – with a couple of exceptions where a state avenue is shorter than one mile.
So, you're walking 50 miles?
Further than that, actually. Some stretches on state avenues will be longer than one mile, and I am walking on streets that connect state avenues. The total distance will be nearly 60 miles.
What does 60 miles translate to in terms of city blocks? Steps?
On average, there are 18 - 20 blocks to the mile in DC. And I average about 2,200 steps per mile. So, I plan to walk 1,140 blocks or 132,000 steps in total - though it may end up being further than that.
Are you taking any form of non-bipedal transportation at all?
Yes. I'll use other forms of transportation to get to the starting point each day and to return from the ending point. In addition, a few state avenues or groups of state avenues are too distant from others to reasonably walk between. I'll use other means of transport in those four instances.
Can I follow your path online?
Yep! Just come to this site or follow me on Strava.
Can I cheer you on?
Yes! I will greatly appreciate online encouragement on social media - or in person encouragement from local people
Can I walk with you?
Sure! You can track my progress and meet up with me at any point
Do you expect to pass any National Guard troops?
Probably but only in the areas nearest the Mall, the White House, and Capitol Hill near Congress and the Supreme Court.
Are you afraid of crime on your walk?
Crime is a reality in any community. It should be taken seriously as should efforts to combat it.
But I am not any more concerned about crime on this walk than I would be if I did it in any of the other big cities, small towns or suburbs I have lived in over the years.
DC is a glorious place to live and work and walk, and our country should be proud of its capital.
If not crime, what are you worried about?
Fatigue. Injury. And I’d prefer not to walk for long stretches in the rain.
But mostly running out of battery for my activity tracker or phone or earbuds!
Have you done anything like this before?
Nope. I walk but never anything like this.
Any quotes from any 13th century Sufi mystics that you find inspiring?
Why, how insightful of you to ask! I happen to have one from Rumi: “As you start to walk the way, the way appears.” I don’t know how our country can revive its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, reasonable debate, and sane policies but I am seeking to start walking the way and will hope the way appears.