For Immediate Release

Press Contact

December 9, 2021

As Biden Hosts Global Democracy Summit, We Must Remember Our Own Democracy Is In Danger

As Biden Hosts Global Democracy Summit, We Must Remember Our Own Democracy Is In Danger

Stephany Spaulding: “The right to vote is the backbone of our democracy, and we cannot afford for it to break.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, President Biden will host the first Summit for Democracy, a virtual gathering focused on strengthening democratic governments around the world, defending against authoritarianism, fighting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights.

However, as this recent piece from The New Yorker reminds us, our own country’s democratic structures are in a fragile state. Critical legislation that would protect our democratic right to vote, including the Freedom to Vote Act, the For the People Act, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, have all been filibustered by Republicans this year.

Stephany Spaulding, Just Democracy Spokesperson and Founder of Truth and Conciliation, issued the following statement:

“We cannot forget the egregious attacks on our democracy over the past year, beginning with the violent Jan. 6 insurrection in our nation’s capital. Since that anti-democratic assault on the sanctity of our elections, we have seen over 400 voter suppression bills introduced in state legislatures, targeting the Black and Brown communities who came out in record numbers to protect our democracy in 2020.

The right to vote is the backbone of our democracy, and we cannot afford for it to break. The Senate must meet the urgency of this moment and eliminate the filibuster to pass critical voting rights legislation that will strengthen our democracy. If Congress does not act, we will be forced to enter another year in which our democracy –– and our right to vote –– is at dire risk.”

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About Just Democracy

Just Democracy is an intersectional coalition with racial justice at its core — uplifting voices from all walks of American life that are too often left out of the conversation. The coalition is made up of over 40 Black and Brown-led organizations working across issue areas. It mobilizes thousands who know that advancing social and racial justice issues first requires bold structural democracy reform.

 

To speak with a Just Democracy spokesperson, please email press@justdemocracy.us

 

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Website: https://www.justdemocracy.us

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