WASHINGTON — A group of people met up in DC Thursday evening. Their goal: to raise money and gather enough signatures to kick Charles Allen of DC City Council.
The DC Board of Elections issued a recall sheet on Tuesday.
"We have over 500 volunteers so far and it came together so quickly because everyone is affected by crime," said April Brown.
Almost two months ago, to the day, D.C. realtor and Ward 6 resident, April Brown, kicked off an effort to recall Charles Allen, who had just began a third 4-year term in 2023. A task that felt like a lonely, long-shot effort.
"He created an environment, he and the City Council have created an environment where it's more dangerous in D.C.," claimed Recall Charles Allen member Rich Masters.
Masters helped to bring nearly 100 volunteers together Thursday night to begin handing out yard signs and petitions they plan to take to the streets.
"I think he has listened to the wrong people, the wrong elements," explained Masters. "I don't think he's listening to mainstream people who live in Ward 6."
Masters and others behind the effort blame Allen for an increase in crime and for budgetary decisions that have led to fewer police officers on the beat. Allen himself challenges those claims, and said in a statement to WUSA:
"This recall effort is misleading and misinformed... I've worked to hold criminals accountable with strong laws and bring a whole of government approach to reducing crime long-term."
But for Brown, it doesn't feel like it, especially after her own mom was carjacked and robbed in 2020.
"I don't feel like it's going to be a lot of work," she said. "However, I know we'll be able to get it done because crime is a serious problem and it's affecting the entire city."
Allen's opponents need more than 6,000 signatures within 180 days in order to force a recall election. If they succeed, it will be the first time a member of DC Council will be recalled.
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