The Democracy Tree

In the late 1990's, an elm tree started to grow out of one of the potted plants on Democracy Project founder Mark Schaefer's balcony. After a couple of years of tending as best one could to the tree, it became apparent that the tree needed to be planted in the ground if it were to survive. But where should the tree be planted? A neglected tree box on New Hampshire Avenue provided an opportunity over the Fourth of July weekend to save a tree and witness to a community. (For more information, read the Washington Post article about the tree). 

This was the state of the tree box when we started. Untended, overgrown with weeds. Perhaps of interest to a botanist, but hardly aesthetically appealing.

The state of the tree box afterward. Elm tree planted, red, white, and blue flowers circling the tree, placard, flag, and three red flowers in front of the placard. What once was blight, now a testimonial to the citizens of the District. The legend on the placard is at bottom left.

The new plaque for the Democracy Tree, placed spring 2001.

The new plaque, set in concrete, adorned with red, white, and blue pansies, giving witness to the neighborhood.

The tree was given a new look for 2001, with the plaque installed and a new fence placed around the tree box.

Democracy Project volunteers Keith Ivey and Stephanie Gober pose in front of their handiwork as pedestrians take in the message from the plaque.

The Democracy Tree with its new look.

Other DC voting rights items visible in this picture:

• DCVote Bumper Sticker "It's Time"
• D.C. license plates reading "Taxation Without Representation"

Foundry Democracy Project bumper sticker "Let my people VOTE"

The Democracy Tree June 2001.

As of August 2003, the tree was approximately 25 feet high, having nearly grown in size and volume 500%. May this tree, like the cause of democracy to which it was dedicated, continue to flourish and grow.

Summer 2008:

Summer 2017: The tree is one of the many stately elms along New Hampshire Avenue. A sign of the strength and durability of the DC Voting Rights movement.

United Methodist Resolution (2008)

From the BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS of THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (2008)
5088. Voting Representation for People in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia was established on the first Monday in December, 1800, by an Act of Congress as a seat for the national government under authority granted to the Congress by Article 1, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution, under which the Congress has the power to "exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District."At no time since has the Federal Legislature passed any provision for voting representation for the residents of the District of Columbia. Yes, throughout our nation's history, citizens of the District of Columbia have given their undivided allegiance to the United States: fighting and dying in wars, paying their full measure of taxes, and providing labor and resources to the federal government.

 Therefore, because we recognize:

• that governments derive their "just powers from the consent of the governed" in order to secure the people's rights "endowed by their Creator";
• the Social Principles contained in The United Methodist Book of Discipline state that the "form and the leaders of all governments should be determined by exercise of the right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens,";
• the Social Principles also state that "the strength of a political system depends on the full and willing participation of its citizens" (¶164B);
• it has been the enduring tradition and history of the United Methodist Church, from the time of Wesley to the present day, to support the rights of the individual, to provide relief to the disenfranchised, and to champion the equality of all persons before God and before the law; and
• throughout the biblical narrative God desires the inclusion and full participation of all people into society;

The United Methodist Church agrees that the continuing disenfranchisement of the citizens of the District of Columbia is an egregious moral wrong which must be rectified.

Therefore, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church declares its full support, on moral grounds that the citizens of the District of Columbia are entitled to political rights equal to those of other United States citizens, including voting representation in both houses of Congress. We call on the President and the Congress of the United States of America to take action to provide congressional representation to the citizens of Washington, D.C.
We call on all United Methodist congregations throughout the United States, to support the people of the District of Columbia in this cause by calling upon their elected representatives in Congress to demand democratic rights for the District of Columbia.

ADOPTED 1980
REVISED AND ADOPTED 2000

REVISED AND READOPTED 2008

RESOLUTION #280, 2004 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION #262, 2000 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 164B