Advancement Project National Office Applauds Introduction, Urges Passage of S. 1 to Protect Voting Rights of Communities of Color
MEDIA CONTACT
Jeralyn Cave
jcave@advancementproject.org
202-921-7321
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate introduced S. 1 – the For the People Act of 2021—a pro-democracy piece of legislation that aims to protect and strengthen access to voting, blunts the influence of dark money in politics and establishes anti-corruption measures for government. Advancement Project National Office, a 21st century civil rights and racial justice organization released the following statement.
“Right now, at least 43 states have advanced legislation making it harder to vote on the heels of a historic election that saw record voter turnout,” said Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director of Advancement Project National Office. “The systemic assault of voting rights at the state level is a concerted effort by conservative leaders to thwart the rising political power of Black and Brown voters who courageously braved a global health pandemic to vote. From cuts to early voting on Sundays—a long-held tradition of the Black community—to the addition of onerous ID requirements for vote-by-mail ballots, it is clear these measures are blatant voter suppression measures aimed at disenfranchising communities of color. These attacks threaten our democracy and illustrate why federal legislation like S. 1 is needed to protect voters from discriminatory voting laws.”
“It is abhorrent that state lawmakers and election officials have used disinformation to justify their naked attempts to silence Black and Brown voters,” said Jorge Vasquez, Power and Democracy Director of Advancement Project National Office. “The best way leaders can restore confidence in the integrity of our elections is to stop their attacks on our democratic institutions and support legislation like S.1 that advances pro-democracy reforms. We celebrate the introduction of S. 1 and urge the U.S. Senate to quickly pass this legislation.”
###
Advancement Project National Office is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change. Visit www.advancementproject.org
