“By attempting to block the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, the most important voting rights bill in a generation, Republicans have once again made clear that they support racist anti-voter bills and partisan gerrymandering, and not the will of the people. It’s incredible to see these supposed ‘leaders’ of our democracy so actively working to undermine the will of the people and our planet.
“Throughout our history, Americans have protested, marched, and sacrificed their lives to cast their ballot. But greedy politicians have attacked our freedom to vote, time and time again. The senators blocking progress today are no different from the legacy of racist and narrow-minded legislators of years past, they are on the wrong side of history. Every senator who failed to rise up and protect our freedom to vote will contribute to the irreversible decline of American democracy and the push towards authoritarianism. Their legacies and our legacy as a country are on the line.
“The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, is a widely popular bill that protects our freedom to vote, prevents billionaires from buying our elections, and ensures that people, not polluters, can elect leaders who govern in our interests. A majority of Americans across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support this bill. 19 states have already enacted 34 laws that make it harder for Americans to vote. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, would stop these kinds of racist anti-voter bills dead in their tracks.
“Every single moment of progress in our country’s history has been met with resistance and required Americans to rise up to demand change. This moment is no different. We know that a healthy democracy is a precondition for a healthy environment and that as the threat to democracy grows, so does the threat to our environment. The freedom to vote is too important and we must do everything in our power to ensure it is protected. We only have a handful of years left to reduce the power of fossil fuel companies polluting our communities, our climate, and our democratic systems before we will rocket past climate thresholds and find ourselves at a catastrophic point of no return. We will not give up, because there is too much at stake. Senate Democrats must do whatever it takes to pass this bill. The freedom to vote is too important for outdated procedures or loopholes to stand in the way. ”
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ENDS
Contact: Valentina Stackl, Senior Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA, [email protected], (734) 276-6260
