Cindy Carr - cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON D.C. -- In front of the White House today, hundreds of activists and concerned Americans are joining together for the fifth time in a powerful demonstration to call on President Biden and the Senate to take immediate action to protect our democracy and restore voting rights.
The Freedom to Vote Act which includes comprehensive, common sense democracy reforms including installing nationwide automatic voter registration, restoring voting rights for 3.9 million formerly incarcerated people, banning partisan gerrymandering, making voter intimidation a felony, and more. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) would restore and expand many of the protections in the 1965 Voting Rights Act and is designed to defend against the ongoing and intentional efforts to block access to the ballot.
This year alone, over 425 anti-voter bills have been introduced in 49 states, all with the intent of adding more barriers to an American’s fundamental right to vote.
In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight released the following statement:
“The American people, many of whom are risking arrest, have time and again gathered outside of the people’s house to demand that President Biden and the Senate take action to protect our democracy and protect every American's right to vote. Every person who cares about racial justice, quality healthcare, and the climate crisis should care about these two bills because our ability to take action on today’s biggest issues and build safe, healthy communities depends on having access to the ballot box and a strong, well-functioning democracy.
“The Freedom To Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act together represent a historic opportunity to ensure a strong and healthy democracy for Americans today and generations to come.The Sierra Club is a proud member of the growing chorus of Americans calling on President Biden and the Senate to pass these two bills without delay. No amount of Republican obstruction, corruption, or lies can stop our power. Our very democracy is on the line; there is no time to waste."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.