ACLU, NATIONAL WOMEN’S LAW CENTER, TIME’S UP AND THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE EDUCATION FUND JOIN FORCES TO PRODUCE “A READ-IN for RBG,” A RUTH BADER GINSBURG CELEBRITY TRIBUTE VIDEO CALLING ON VIEWERS TO VOTE TO HONOR HER LEGACY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Eva Lopez, American Civil Liberties Union, [email protected], 773-574-8529
Rafael Medina, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, [email protected], 202-869-0390
Olympia Feil, The National Women’s Law Center, [email protected]; 404-840-8023
Jae Aron, TIME’S UP, [email protected]

NEW YORK, NY – October 15, 2020 – A collection of prominent civil rights organizations today released a powerful new video to honor the remarkable legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“A Read-In for RBG,” which was produced for the ACLU, the National Women’s Law Center, TIME’S UP Foundation, and The Leadership Conference Education Fund, features performances by a high-profile collection of actors, musicians, and artists including Pamela Adlon, Selma Blair, Steve Buscemi, Courteney Cox, Robert De Niro, America Ferrera, Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Chelsea Handler, Allison Janney, Laura Linney, Debra Messing, John Turturro, Jason Wu, and many others, all reading from Justice Ginsburg’s finest writings, as curated by legal scholar Maya Wiley.

The nonpartisan video, which can be seen here, concludes by calling upon viewers to vote and support the convening organizations.

“Justice Ginsburg was a champion for equal rights. She dedicated her entire career, on and off the Court, to protecting the rights of millions of people in America, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals. Her jurisprudence serves as an enduring reminder that the Supreme Court belongs to all of us, not to any party or politician. Yet, in the face of a deadly pandemic and in the middle of an election cycle when millions of people have already cast their vote for the president and senators, President Trump, Senator McConnell, and Senator Graham have all prioritized confirming a nominee who would take away healthcare for millions of people, do irreparable harm to Justice Ginsburg’s legacy, and would set back civil rights back for generations. We fight – and vote – for Justice Ginsburg’s legacy, our rights, and our future,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference Education Fund.

“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recognized that dismantling the patriarchy and fighting sex discrimination is necessary not only for women’s liberation, but to strive for a United States where ‘We the People’ means all of us – regardless of gender,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. “We will use each day to carry forward her legacy of fighting for gender justice—this includes making our voices heard at the polls.”

“Women who today enjoy more rights and freedoms than our mothers did are Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s living legacy. In her honor, in honor of our caregivers, frontline workers, the more than 200,000 American lives lost to the COVID pandemic, and on behalf of the rights of all people across this great country — we must be sure to vote. Everything we care about is at stake,” said Tina Tchen, president and CEO of TIME’S UP Foundation.

“Justice Ginsburg was not just a trailblazer for women and the architect of so many of our foundational rights – she was a bearer of our country’s conscience,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center. “She was a north star for what a better union could look like – for all of us. We must extend the power she gave us by exercising the power we have: our vote.”

About the Leadership Conference Education Fund

The Leadership Conference Education Fund builds public will for federal policies that promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. The Education Fund’s campaigns empower and mobilize advocates around the country to push for progressive change in the United States. It was founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. For more information on The Education Fund, visit civilrights.org/edfund/.

About the ACLU

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect the constitutional rights of all people. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, we take up the toughest civil liberties fights. Beyond one person, party, or side — we the people dare to create a more perfect union. Learn
more at aclu.org

About TIME’S UP Foundation 

The TIME’S UP™ Foundation insists upon safe, fair, and dignified work for all by changing culture, companies, and laws. We enable more people to seek justice through the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund™. We pioneer innovative research driving toward solutions to address systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace through the TIME’S UP Impact Lab. And we reshape key industries from within so they serve as a model for all industries. The TIME’S UP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

About the National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice — in the courts, in public policy, and in our society — working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls. For more than 45 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women. We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us — especially women of color, LGBTQ people, and women and families with low incomes. For more: nwlc.org