HAPPENING NOW!
The Issue
Mayor Muriel Bowser and her administration have clearly joined forces with big business for their gain. If we, all of us, don’t stand up to them; then we, all of us, will suffer the consequences of our inaction.
When we don’t protect the small business owner who hires the local worker, the returning citizen, the single mom, etc., we are helping to force these people into a cycle of poverty where they cannot buy groceries, pay rent, provide the basic necessities for their families or participate as fully productive members of their communities.
This would be an inhumane and unacceptable response to the injustices that are taking place in our small business community. So, it is our sincere hope that you will join us in the SBP-247 effort to protect the District’s small businesses.
Mayor Bowser said, “Small and local businesses are the backbone of our economy—when they thrive, our community thrives;” STILL:
Several small businesses have been forced to fire local workers or close their doors completely because the District government refuses to help them? (For example: one company went from 85% to 5% of its business coming from the District government, and another from 90% to 0)?
Unlicensed companies are taking business from legitimate locally owned companies?
DC’s Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs-small locally owned businesses) are not getting paid according to the law?
The District government intentionally limits or refuses opportunities to CBE's in favor of outside non-licensed companies?
Mayor Bowser and many District government officials aggressively retaliate against small businesses who speak out against illegal business practices?
Unlicensed companies are not paying taxes?
There are 1,400 CBE's registered with DSLBD and the government will not publicly say what percentage of the District's budget goes to those businesses?
The Action Plan
The SBP-247 team has designed a community engagement and education campaign to
stop the mistreatment of small businesses across the city and to ensure that residents of the city benefit from the correction.
Organizers will focus on public education and engagement efforts to ensure that the local residents and other stakeholders understand how the city’s unwillingness to correct contracting and payment systems directly impact their families and communities.
Though locally focused, the campaign will seek help from other jurisdictions, media outlets, the Courts and Congress if necessary.
Activities will include (We Hope YOU'LL Get INVOLVED):
Calling and writing the Mayor, City Council Members and Congressional Members who sit on the DC oversight Committee
Participating in SBP-247 protests and other events
Circulating SBP-247 information to your neighbors, congregations, friends, family and co-workers
Contact us to join in the SBP-247 effort to protect the District’s small businesses.