To Honor Democracy, Senators Must Protect Freedom to Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kiren Marshall, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol:

“The horrific consequences of the violent coup d’état attempted at the U.S. Capitol one year ago today are still with us now. That day was an attack on a symbol of our government, the people who work there, and our democracy. But rather than learn from the insurrection, some Republicans have embraced the violence and tried to take us back to a world reminiscent of Jim Crow — a world of exclusion, control, and inequality.

“The fragility of our democracy was highlighted that day, but it held fast because some senators acted on the right side of history and certified the election of our president. We need that same resolve now. It is clear our leaders must safeguard elections for all Americans, and arcane Senate rules must not be a barrier to the ballot box or used as a tool to undermine democracy. The Senate must reform its rules and pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. Time and again, voters have shown up for democracy. Now, senators must show up for voters before it is too late.”

The Leadership Conference is partnering with other organizations to participate in We the People: January 6th Day of Remembrance and Action. Learn more about local events and actions here: https://jan6unityday.org/.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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