In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, tens of thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial and demanded action on voting rights, economic and social justice.Fifty years ago, the marchers were able to break unprecedented filibusters and obstructions to force Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. In the past few years and even months, these same rights have come under attack, from the Supreme Court to places like Texas and North Carolina.These attacks include restrictive ID requirements, which would limit early voting and cause long lines on Election Day, and voting districts designed to dilute voters' voices. Across the country, people will not be able to exercise their most fundamental right to vote if you don't take action now and tell Congress to act.
The same forces who want to expand fracking, coal, and pollution are the same ones who want to suppress minority votes -- and where these battles are being fought the most polluted communities are often minority communities. When we can't vote, we can't solve environmental problems we have in our own backyards.But we're fighting back. Sierra Club members were at the march in DC today, demanding action to protect our democracy and our environment. Thousands more marched "virtually," by joining a "Thunderclap" on social media that reached hundreds of thousands instantly.
The Voting Rights Act originally faced the same kind of obstruction we see today, when a small group of Senators blocked the rights of millions. But after the March on Washington in 1963, continued organizing and action showed there was support to end discrimination.Just a few years ago in 2006, Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. After our successful march today, it is time to demand they act again to protect all Americans' rights. You can get your senators' and representative's attention by joining the thousands of others across the country calling on Congress to act swiftly.Demand Congress fix the Voting Rights Act and join the spirit of today's March on Washington.
Thank you for all you do to protect our environment and our democracy,
Courtney Hight
Director, Democracy Program
Sierra Club
Tell Congress to act on voting rights
The Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v Holder gutted the landmark Voting Rights Act, but putting the ball squarely in Congress' court to take action. When Congress reauthorized the Act in 2006, they proved that protecting voting rights was a bipartisan effort and that they can act on this priority. You can get your senators' and representative's attention by joining the thousands of others across the country calling on Congress to act swiftly.
We simply can't fix all of the threats to our global environment and climate without cleaning up the environment and climate of our government. Because, just like Sierra Club founder John Muir stated, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." Elections where everyone is allowed to vote is as surely an environmental issue as clean air and clean water.
Tell your senators and representative to take swift and forceful action on voting rights.
Complete the form below with your information.
Personalize your message if you wish.
Click the Send Your Message button to send your message to:
- Senator Thomas 'Tom' R. Carper
- Senator Christopher 'Chris' A. Coons
- Representative John C. Carney Jr.
~*~
0 comments:
Post a Comment