Wisconsin Leaders Call on Sen. Johnson and Speaker Ryan to Support Voting Rights Act Restoration Before 3rd Anniv. of Shelby Decision

MILWAUKEE – On June 21 at 10:30 AM CST, Wisconsin African-American, women’s, civic, and faith leaders will join with The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights President, Wade Henderson, in hosting a Press Conference to call on Senator Ron Johnson and Speaker Paul Ryan to support a restoration of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). 

This week, on June 25, marks three years since the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder gutted the Voting Rights Act. Since then, states and localities across the country have enacted discriminatory voting restrictions that are denying the right to vote to millions of Americans. Despite this widespread evidence of voting discrimination, Congress has failed to address this modern-day assault on the right to vote and Senator Johnson and Speaker Ryan have done nothing to help. Unless Congress acts quickly, voters in 2016 will face the first presidential election in 50 years where they will lack the full protections of the VRA to combat racial discrimination in voting.

Local leaders will urge their members of Congress to co-sponsor of the Voting Rights Advancement Act and push for legislative action on the bill.

WHO: A coalition of Wisconsin civil rights, faith based and civic leaders including the League of Women Voters, Pastors United, the ACLU, Wisconsin Jobs Now and Wisconsin Voices.

WHAT: Press Conference – Wisconsin Leaders Call on Senator Ron Johnson and Speaker Paul Ryan to Support Restoration of the Voting Rights Act Before November 2016 Election

WHEN: Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 10:30 AM CST

WHERE:  2803 W. Teutonia, Milwaukee, WI, the Coffee Makes You Black Restaurant