To draw attention to a movement supporting D.C statehood, city councilman Michael A. Brown is using Rick Santorum‘s recent Puerto Rico “English” gaffe as a news hook.

In an open letter to Santorum, Brown wrote:

I am writing to understand your current position on voting rights and Statehood for 620,000 American citizens who reside in the District of Columbia and whose primary language is English.

[...]

I invite you to join us in our fight for equality. I encourage you to stand up for Americans who pay the highest federal tax rates in the country, whose sons and daughters have fought and died in every major conflict since the War of Independence, is home to over 40,000 veterans, whose population is greater than the State of Wyoming and nearly equal with five others by making it clear that if elected President, you will use all the powers of the Executive office to promote Statehood for Americans who reside in the District of Columbia.

Brown is an independent.

You can read the full letter here.