The Capitol Building yesterday (Getty Images)

Under a resolution introduced to the Council today, a portion of First Street near the Capitol building could become D.C. No Taxation Without Representation Way. But only symbolically!

First Street between Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue would be given the very long name to “remind citizens” that D.C. residents don’t have voting Congressional representation, according to Council Chair Phil Mendelson, who introduced the resolution.

Mendelson also introduced a resolution to support Congress’ request to rename a street near the Chinese Embassy for a dissident from that country, Liu Xiaobo. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton is in favor of both ideas.

“I applaud the D.C. Council and Chairman Phil Mendelson, the sponsor, for introducing these pro-democracy bills. Both offer new venues for protests against the denial of basic democracy to the residents of the District of Columbia,” Norton said. “A renamed First Street fronting the Capitol will make a permanent statement every day to the Congress about the need to live up to the pro-democracy words spoken in Congress each day. ‘D.C. No Taxation Without Representation Way’ also will bring national and international attention to our undemocratic status, and will provide a new venue to call Congress to account.”