Category: ANC

Commissioner Muhammad Responds To Notice of Intent to Recall, Sort Of

8/4/2021

This is Commissioner Muhammad's Response to
Notice of Intent to Recall

At the close of our ANC 8A meeting on July 13, 2021, it was discovered that Commissioner Moore was logged in the meeting under MY name without my knowledge or permission
Commissioner Moore was asked several times to log out and log in under her ANC panelist link with her OWN name to have the floor
She refused and was not given the floor
Tom Donahue interjected himself in internal ANC business and was removed from the meeting for making derogatory remarks
Tom Donahue was out of order and was advised that he was
We have a code of conduct which includes not making derogatory comments about ANYONE
Tom Donahue has been threatening, harassing, and disrespecting me since he moved into this neighborhood
His words and conduct toward me is that of a racist, bully and misogynist
On the eve of election night, he charged at me in a threatening manner yelling that he was going to challenge me
He recently threatened to expose my fellow Commissioners to the media if they did not support his recall petition
He has been keeping my neighbors under illegal surveillance with his cameras making racist remarks about who enters their homes

This is Tom Donohue's Response to her above response:

Commissioner Muhammad I am not an elected official, my actions as a constituent are not what put you in this position or is what will remove you from one. However, It's clear that you are concerned about your very actions in which brought us here as you feel you must mislead, no lie to your constituents attempting to put neighbor against neighbor, that's the sad part.

Commissioner Moore should have been given the access granted to her by those who voted for her. If I was one of her constituents I'd be upset that you, silenced your own fellow commissioner, the simple solution was to just elevate the login she was using to presenter so she could speak on her single member district matter that was being discussed. Again my response to your refusal in elevating Commissioner Moore's Zoom access is my business, you are my elected official and if you are conducting yourself unprofessionally during a public meeting then my comments in a chat box about your behavior are well within the meetings discussion. Additionally, my comments only followed several other peoples comments however folks won't be able to see for their own as you refused to make the public meeting available for inspection as per your requirements.
Commissioner Muhammad, you say you kicked me out for "derogatory remarks" and that I was advised prior to your ejection. To this I say "PROVE THIS" this is frankly not true and if you would simply release the Zoom meeting and its chat of the meeting as requested of you several times in a Freedom of Information Act Request this matter would prove itsself. However you refuse to release the video allowing you to say whatever you'd like about the meeting as you know you are the only one to have access to the meeting. As long as you refuse to release it this can't be proved.
Ms. Muhammad do you realize this opportunity to respond to my Notice to Recall Intent is for you to address the matters of which I am asking my neighbors to remove you from office? You again and again bring up falsehoods of actions you say I have committed against you, for starters you are an elected official, if you can't stand the political heat then I'd suggest you find some other game, a game without a badge you like to pull out to show everyone. For everything I have claimed of you I have provided its supporting documentation, and even though this recall is not about me or my actions your accusations need support behind them. Unfortunately you don't have supporting documentation as there is none.
Ms. Muhammad, let see if I can wrap up the last few claims against me (as if i am an elected official up for recall) Yes, I was proud not to vote for you as you ran unopposed, and yes I did tell you to enjoy your last term as you'd have competition come next election whether that be me or another neighbor your time bullying neighbors around and making false accusations against me like being part of the Proud Boys of Charlottesville are disgusting and dictate your removal from office, this behavior has no place in our neighborhood especially by an elected official. As far as my threatening your fellow commissioners of going to the media if they chose not to remove you from office is absolutely correct. You simply do not see that your racist behavior is wrong and I'd expect for the betterment of our community any elected official to speak up and against behavior like yours whether such behavior came from you or a white Commissioner its wrong and yohave proven with your words that you are unable to represent all of those you represent and in that spirit anyone wishing to accept behavior like yours should be held accountable. Can you imagine if I made racist comments or claims of affiliation of hate groups about you how that would have been handled? Well this is a two way street and behavior like that should be exposed. I have faith that enough of our neighbors will see your behaviors inappropriate and will support your removal, as its the right thing to do.
Your comment "He has been keeping my neighbors under illegal surveillance with his cameras making racist remarks about who enters their homes" what in the world are you talking about. The security cameras out side of my apartment building have captured a murder, a robbery at gunpoint, and various acts of crime within the distance they can see against my neighbors. These cameras are installed on the outside of my building pointed to the public sidewalk and street all areas which are public in sight and where no one has a claim to privacy. How do you claim this 'surveillance' is illegal (wait remind me aren't we suppose to be talking about your actions and not the matters picked up on my security cameras which was vital in the apprehension of a murder suspect when he ran over and killed a fellow DC neighbor Mr. David Farewell on Sept 5, 2020 ( wait by the way as a concerned ANC Commissioner did you help that grieving family when their Son, and Father was murdered in your single member district? Did you attend that mans vigil that I helped to arrange to help support those who loved Mr. Farewell? No. Not even a phone call to their family. So lets stop and refocus on what you should have addressed in your 200 word response

So now, have you addressed anything of which I have accused you of in my Notice of Recall? Yes one thing. Why you think you had any right to eject me from a public ANC Meeting of which you couldn't even be truthful about. You say not one word about the racist remarks and false claims about me, your neighbor. Why? Why didn't you defend your claim that I have any affiliation to the Proud Boys or any hate or white supremacy group? Because you can't there is nothing to support your false claim, and as far you not being anyone's "Negro" being an elected official someone your community has trusted to instill good and encourage change into that very neighborhood, You'd think by now you'd understand our neighbors are of all nationalities and you are suppose to represent all of us, You are your own person and will be held accountable for your own words and actions, you spoke on your on behalf no one spoke for you - you freely expressed your own thoughts and soon our neighbors will come together to decide whether your actions, falsehoods, and words dictate your removal from office. Its sad that you have publicly exposed the kind of woman you are, the values you live by well this is a no bully zone and I ask our neighbors to join me in removing you from elected office. #BullyFreeZone.

Here is the Initial Intent To Recall Submitted by Tom Donohue to the Board of Elections

During a July 13th ANC08 meeting, Commissioner & Chairwoman Muhammad (A801) ANC08 ejected Mr. Tom Donohue, an eight-year, small business owner from ANA801 without cause, discussion, or warning. Mr. Donohue joined other neighbors from ANC08 asking Commissioner Muhammad to elevate the logon of Commissioner Moore so the meeting could move on and so Commissioner Moore could properly represent her constituency. Having other matters that Mr. Donohue wanted to inquire about Mr. Donohue joined others asking her to simply elevate Commissioner Moore’s login so that the meeting could move on matters to which Commissioner Muhammad immediately ejected him resulting in Mr. Donohue’s inability to raise two matters pertaining to his neighborhood. In an email string sent to the ANC Director and all the ANC08 Commissioners, Muhammad become so racist in her responses that Mr. Donohue feels it rises to the level of being recalled. The responses included “You don't dictate to me. “I don't take instructions from the Proud Boys from Charlottesville. Don't email me again.” And “Your threats of meetings and recalls don't frighten me. YOU don't frighten me. I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO! So you better stay out of my way.”

Supporting Documentation

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ANC8A Commissioner Holly Muhammad Ejects Constituent During ANC Meeting, Falsely Claims Proud Boy Affiliation & Claims She is Not His Negro. He Responds with Notice of Intent to Recall

8/4/2021

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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tom Donohue
Office: 202-525-4390 x102
Email: [email protected]

ANC8A Commissioner Holly Muhammad Ejects Constituent During ANC Meeting, Falsely Claims Proud Boy Affiliation & Claims She is Not His Negro. He Responds with Notice of Intent to Recall

Washington, DC, August 3, 2021: Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and Chairwoman of 8A01, Holly Muhammad, ejected an 8-year small business owner and resident from the meeting. The constituent, Tom Donohue, was forced out during their July 13, 2021, ANC meeting without cause, warning, discussion or even notifying the other Commissioners of her action.

Mr. Donohue submitted a written Freedom of Information Act request to Commissioner Muhammad demanding that she preserve the evening’s meeting notes and provide him a video copy of the Zoom meeting, as well as its chat session. In an email response to his FOIA request, Commissioner Muhammad falsely accused Mr. Donohue of being a white supremacist saying,

“You don't dictate to me. I don't take instructions from the Proud Boys from Charlottesville. Don't email me again.”
She repeated the accusation to others in the community, including a member of the MPD 6D unit and members of Mr. Donohue’s Councilmember Trayon White’s staff. After Mr. Donohue attempted to defend himself from the libelous statement and expressed an interest in having her recalled from public office, Commissioner and Chairwoman Muhammad of ANC8A responded by saying,
“Your threats of meetings and recalls don't frighten me. YOU don't frighten me. I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO! So you better stay out of my way.”
Based on her incredulous actions, on Friday, July 23, 2021, Mr. Donohue filed a Notice of Intent to Recall Commissioner Muhammad with the DC Board of Elections.
Donohue has had several interactions with Commissioner Muhammad during his eight-year residence in the Fairlawn community. During one interaction, Commissioner Muhammad refused to give her approval for the placement of stop signs, which protected area families crossing the street for school. Selfishly, she declined support, until her other outstanding DDOT requests were fulfilled. “Commissioner Muhammad’s approach to governing is, if I don’t like what they say, or if they do not agree with me, I’ll block them, eject them, or ignore them”, said Tom Donohue in a written statement. He continued saying, “Frankly, I don’t know why Commissioner Muhammad’s fellow Commissioners and my fellow neighbors have not already called for and removed her from her leadership role, given her approach to governing and her blatantly racist remarks and false accusations of hate or white supremacy” Donohue calls upon each of the 8A Commissioners to demand a special session this month to cast a vote to have Commissioner Muhammad removed from her Chair position. “it’s the right thing to do!” Donohue Said.
Donohue’s official FOIA request for the download of the meeting and chat dialogue continue to go unanswered. He also notes Commissioner Muhammad has Mr. Donohue blocked from social media platforms which Ms. Muhammad uses to inform her constituency of matters related to her single member district and those she represents.
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ANC 8A Commissioner Holly Muhammad To Face Recall from Constituent After Ejection from Meeting & Emails Claiming Proud Boys Affiliation

7/17/2021

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As a follow up to Ms. Muhammad ejecting me from Tuesday night meeting 4 of of the 7 Commissioners want a special session to vote removing Chairwoman Muhammad out from her Chair position. The Vice-chair is the one who has to call for the special session however accordingly to the below texts from Commissioner Moore the Vice-chair is friends with the chair and refuses to call the meeting. When the Executive Director of the ANC’s was asked he affirmed that the VC has to call it. I’m exposing this injustice call upon the Mayor to find reason why Gottlieb Simon has not responded to any of my emails or requests for a copy of the zoom meeting. The first image is text between me and Commissioner Moore (The commissioner who the Chair refused to upgrade status to so she could be seen and heard about a matter happening in her SMD) The other images are of emails between the Chairwoman and my ANC elected Commissioner.

I will add, I have never been a member, affiliated, supported or have any connection to the proud boys in Charlottesville or anywhere else nor have I, do I or want to with them or any white supremacy group or any other hate group.

(These are just some of her emails and she refers to other emails from the past when I was Seeki g her support for the two stop signs by Boone Elementary which she refused to support until projects she wanted done were advanced first). These emails and such can be found at http://tomdonohue.pw/tomsthoughts/category/holly-muhammad

I ask for my neighbors support. I am not the only one who Ms. Muhammad has ejected from ANC Meetings when she didn’t like they were saying via chat. Her bigger than anyone else attitude must end and replaced with someone who cares about the issues and people over themselves. The Mayors office should seek further into how my requests and communications have gone unanswered by the Executive Director of ANC’s.

Due to her refusal to call a special session, the ViceChair should also face a vote of removal.

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Sign Petition Calling for ANC 8A Chairwoman Holly Muhammad's Resignation

7/14/2021

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For additional Information on how Ms. Muhammad has behaved as Commissioner visit: https://tomdonohue.pw/tomsthoughts/category/holly-muhammad

To file a Open Meetings complaint with Office of Open Government
Open Meetings Act complaint
https://www.open-dc.gov/documents/oog-forms-and-services
I have requested the recorded ANC Meeting and its chat room transcript from Gottlieb Simon Executive Director Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
View the letter sent to Gottlieb Simon Executive Director Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
Stay Tuned. More info coming.

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ANC Commissioner Holly Muhammad - Refuses Request to make Traffic Safety Assessment Priority Until Another Prior Request is Met, Puts Childrens lives in danger.

4/5/2019

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"Before moving forward on another project since you note below that requests are prioritized with ANC support. I need a response on the request that was submitted last year for the traffic light near the intersection of 18th and Minnesota Ave SE.Further, Tyon Jones is a fellow Commissioner on ANC 8A and should not be assigned to this project. It is a conflict. When you can provide me information regarding the previous request then I can move forward with another." Commissioner Holly Muhammad in an email to Lisa Gee Robinson Communications Specialist with the District Department of Transportation.

Now I don't know anything about this traffic light - however I do know a little about this request of mine for a traffic safety assessment around the new Lawrence E. Boone Elementary and my request of Commissioner for a letter supporting the assessment which would give the assessment a priority status. Sadly, the Commissioner has responded out of emotion and dislike for myself, a white, 39 year old, business owning resident of over six years in Ward 8.

Lets rewind to last summer, July 17, my first interaction with the Commissioner. There was a construction project at 22nd and Fairlawn SE. Ms. Muhammad arrived on scene with an attitude of being in charge and demanding. As time went on and I watched I noticed her attitude with people like the fire department - the very people trying to assess and assist become unprofessional, and then there was a verbal altercation with my neighbor. I didn't know any of these people this was the first in about five years that a situation warranted neighbors coming out gathering to see what was happening. All of a sudden I hear the Commissioner begin to yell at Ms. Keisha Mims, who at the time was the Chief of Staff for the office of the Deputy Mayor of Education. Ms. Muhammad was giving Ms. Mims a tongue lashing and I mean yelling and screaming that Ms. Mims was not using her influence within the Mayors office to shut down this project. Ms. Mims responded by saying that as a citizen living across the street from the construction site that she was doing all she could which was clearly not enough for Ms. Muhammad. Now I've dealt with a lot of people, at 18 I began working for Wal-Mart as an Assistant Store Manager I've dealt with a lot of difficult people over the years and have seen a lot. Sadly, this was my first impression of Ms. Muhammad - and when I thought that this verbal altercation was going to get physical I was glad to see neighbors come in between to break it up. I was astonished to see when Ms. Mims stepped back several times Ms. Muhammad stepped into her provoking the situation and frankly making several of us concerned for Ms. Mims. In the back of my head I was thinking this is a politician?

I kindly offered the Commissioner some of the photos I took to help illustrate her concerns. The next morning around 4am I got an email inquiring getting the photos to her. I responded asking if she had got my email - she did and then sent me another email asking if I withdrew her access to the photos as it seemed she no longer had access to them (of which I didn't she was just having issues or maybe lack desire to use the program I upload photos and video to which I use all the time for my photography clients). Now over the course of a few days the Commissioner called my home office prior to 7am several times, a true respect of others so early in the morning. I finally had to tell her not to do it again.

Now to Sept of last year. My concerns over the change of entrance from Minnesota Ave to the corner of Prout and 22nd St rose so high I sent an email to Ms. Muhammad and others expressing some police assistance in traffic until the community got use to the entrance being moved. She responded supporting a crossing guard and saying that this new entrance was the "preferred entrance for the students vs the "liquor store entrance" my response was "My understanding is that yes, the only entrance for the students for now. I think the intention is to open the front entrance closer to the completion of the project. Frankly, law enforcement maybe a good start till folks get use to it as we almost had an altercation one morning last week. People got real heated with each other" to which she replied (sept 14th) . "This is the preferred entrance period for the students. We do not want them attending school through an entrance in front of a luquor store. The front entrance was deemed for the staff. I am not requesting law enforcement. We don’t need law enforcement to deal with our people at every level of a problem. This issue can be resolved WITHOUT law enforcement. All that is neede is a crossing guard like they have at schools west of the riverr. Have a good day" I left it go without a response until October 22nd and no response from anyone nor any assistance helping the school. Oct 29 - still no response so my email to the group got much more aggressive and the sense of frustration elevated especially since we are talking about children’s safety. So I sent this note:

It has been a week since I have expressed my disappointment regarding the lack of action when it came to the intersection of 22nd and Prout.

I understand my email was direct however no matter what your thoughts are on my email as a small business owner and resident living directly on this corner, I’d like to receive a response and update on the matter I genuinely am very concerned - I’d appreciate your attention to this and the respect of a response.

Is there someone who can offer me an update on this matter?

And then her response....

Mr. Donohue,

Here is your response. I ignored your email because I have told you once before not to talk to me in this manner. Since you claim you have lived among us for 5 years then you know that you had at least 4 years to attend SIT meetings at the previous Orr, (Boone) as we did prior to its rebuilding to express any concerns about the design if you were genuinely concerned. There is going to be traffic at this intersection. If it can be improved it will.

Don't think because you live among us that you can address me in any kind of manner.

I'm not going to be pulled into your beef with DCPS regarding your cancellation from their payroll.

I have no respect for people who come into our community and feed on the condition of our community and pretend to be community conscious while all along their motive is to get DC contracts for their business.

Further, I am not seeking your respect or approval of my work. I have been working to uplift Black people and our communities long before I became a Commissioner.

Now let me mention a few things:

She thought I was lying when it came to how long I lived among her here in Ward 8? (My lease is signed Dec 2, 2013) Maybe she should stop skipping over my building when she visits as I know she did the night before the election when she even refused to say hello to me while passing out her vote for me advertisement.

I know I live among a mostly African American low income community. I live and breathe respect here. I also have a lot to learn and I've been lucky enough to have earned respect from my direct neighbors. I can relate to many of them, I've been homeless, I am HIV+ and as a low income person myself I face some of the same challenges my neighbors do. I don't know what impression she has or where her info came from however I have never not once had a beef with DCPS nor have I ever worked for them, applied to work for them - or any other district entity. She may have gotten confused with a conversation I had with her about a project I proposed to the construction company working on the Orr Elem project, I just can not get over the way she treats people. Her general attitude is deplorable. Even If I had solicited work from a dept within the district, what’s wrong with that? I do need to work and working pays my rent.

I have no words for her statement on what intentions I may have had based on her false information. I was sincerely insulted and to this day she continues to be rude and downright unprofessional towards me. Her final comment about working to "uplift Black People and our communities long before I became Commissioner" made little sense to me as I've never questioned how she represented black people? You can read the full text of the emails here

Now to current day. Since Sept I have been trying to address the dangerous traffic behaviors/patterns that directly threaten the lives of children and parents attempting to drop off their kids. I even made a video to remind the community:

I even went to my first public meeting it was about traffic in order to help bring light to my concerns since all of emails to the Commissioner fell on deaf ears. I finally connected with Emily Dalphy Transportation Engineer, Vision Zero, Division, Office of the Director District Department of Transportation who asked me to complete a traffic safety questionnaire and send it back to her and if I was able to ger my ANC Commissioner a letter of support it would give it a priority and since this deals with children I figured there'd be no way she wouldn't support it. Well I was wrong. I don't know what my request has anything to do with hers however in a childlike tantrum where one doesn't get her way she refused to support giving priority status of my traffic study request because she got no response from a previously submitted request of hers.

*shrugs* oh I love how she ended her email back to me "I have been advocating for Black people long before I accepted this "voluntary position". And once again, I am not seeking your approval" Well Ms. Muhammad, you may not be seeking my approval however you might be seeking my vote next time you run for office and if you continue to behave this way you just might see my name on that ballot seeking to be your replacement. I don't have any problem and I would seek the approval of all of my neighbors. Try opening your heart and eyes to all of us and start listening to all of your neighbors, white or black we all make up our neighborhoods and having a good relationship with us all could for sure help keep your position as ANC Commissioner or help elevate you to higher office should you wish your neighbors support for that one day.

Now I can't help you with your prior traffic light request, however I am very very concerned about the traffic patterns and behavior around Boone, heck they don't even have a crossing guard - how about putting your opinions about me aside and help us with a letter of support and your voice in getting a crossing guard ASAP?

Video Footage from April 9th

Camera in upper left corner: Prout Street looking towards Pennsylvania Ave
Camera Lower Right: 22nd Street Traffic heading towards intersection of Prout and 22nd Street. This is a oneway street startiong at 22nd and Prout
Main Camera: Intersection of Prout Street SE and 22nd Street

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Commissioner Muhammad Responds To Notice of Intent to Recall, Sort Of

This is Commissioner Muhammad's Response to
Notice of Intent to Recall

This is Tom Donohue's Response to her above response:

Here is the Initial Intent To Recall Submitted by Tom Donohue to the Board of Elections

Supporting Documentation

ANC8A Commissioner Holly Muhammad Ejects Constituent During ANC Meeting, Falsely Claims Proud Boy Affiliation & Claims She is Not His Negro. He Responds with Notice of Intent to Recall

ANC 8A Commissioner Holly Muhammad To Face Recall from Constituent After Ejection from Meeting & Emails Claiming Proud Boys Affiliation

Sign Petition Calling for ANC 8A Chairwoman Holly Muhammad's Resignation

ANC Commissioner Holly Muhammad - Refuses Request to make Traffic Safety Assessment Priority Until Another Prior Request is Met, Puts Childrens lives in danger.

Video Footage from April 9th

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Commissioner Muhammad Responds To Notice of Intent to Recall, Sort Of

This is Commissioner Muhammad's Response to ​Notice of Intent to Recall

This is Tom Donohue's Response to her above response:

Here is the Initial Intent To Recall Submitted by Tom Donohue to the Board of Elections

Supporting Documentation

ANC8A Commissioner Holly Muhammad Ejects Constituent During ANC Meeting, Falsely Claims Proud Boy Affiliation & Claims She is Not His Negro. He Responds with Notice of Intent to Recall

ANC 8A Commissioner Holly Muhammad To Face Recall from Constituent After Ejection from Meeting & Emails Claiming Proud Boys Affiliation

Sign Petition Calling for ANC 8A Chairwoman Holly Muhammad's Resignation

ANC Commissioner Holly Muhammad - Refuses Request to make Traffic Safety Assessment Priority Until Another Prior Request is Met, Puts Childrens lives in danger.

Video Footage from April 9th

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This is Commissioner Muhammad's Response to
Notice of Intent to Recall