Calling for the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, activists from all over took to the streets in Washington D.C. resulting in roughly 200 demonstrators getting arrested.
The Freedom to Vote Act would protect our elections from voter suppression, partisan sabotage, gerrymandering, and dark money. It represents a major step forward in the push to enact comprehensive legislation to strengthen American democracy, promote racial justice and equity for all Americans, and thwart the assault on voting rights taking place in the states.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would be used to protect voters from targeted voter suppression tactics.
Both Acts have recently been denied by Senate Republicans via the filibuster.
According to LWV, there were approximately 800 protestors in attendance and the demonstration is the fifth and largest in a series aimed at spurring the White House to take action.
WATCH: Bishop Barber, #PoorPeoplesCampaign join DC Rally for Voting Rights, DC Statehood & Ending the Filibuster! https://t.co/s2mThdx5pi
— Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) November 17, 2021
“This movement is about ensuring that the arc of the moral universe continues to bend toward justice,” says People for the American Way president Ben Jealous.
“Redistricting is underway without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act and the midterm elections are around the corner. We are here today to send a message that President Biden must take action now to ensure the promise of our democracy and protect our freedom to vote,” says LWV president Deborah Ann Turner.
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