Just Democracy Tells Lawmakers: We Want Equal Voting Rights for Black and Brown Americans, Not Symbolic Support.
“If the Senate can declare Juneteenth a federal holiday with bipartisan support, then they should do the same for equal voting rights for Black and Brown Americans.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today is Juneteenth, a joyous day marking the emancipation of all enslaved people in the United States after the last few enslaved people in the south were freed. In recognition of the holiday this week, Congress passed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday with bipartisan support, ahead of the Senate’s vote next week on the For The People Act (S.1).
Member organizations of Just Democracy, a coalition of 40 Black- and Brown-led groups focused on racial justice and bold structural democracy reform, have been organizing nationwide in celebration of Juneteenth. Actions from organizations in the Just Democracy coalition include Truth & Conciliation’s Juneteenth Summit, the Black Voters Matter Fund’s Freedom Ride for Voting Rights, and Purpose Over Pain’s community peace walk.
Rev. Dr. Stephany Spaulding, Founder of Truth and Conciliation and Coalition Member of Just Democracy issued the following statement:
“If the Senate can declare Juneteenth a federal holiday with bipartisan support, then they should do the same for equal voting rights for Black and Brown Americans. The history of Juneteenth is a reminder that the law does not always reflect the disenfranchisement of Black lives in America. The relics of our country’s original sin remain clear and dangerous—while Black and Brown people turned out in massive numbers last November to deliver Democrats their governing majority in Washington, Republicans in state legislatures across the country have worked quickly to roll back voting rights for Black and Brown people.Making Juneteenth a federal holiday while stalling the passage of crucial voting rights legislation is prioritizing symbolism over structural democracy reforms. What our democracy demands right now is swift passage of the For The People Act in the Senate next week. Until our governing institutions are rid of anti-democratic actors and Jim Crow relics like the filibuster, we will not truly be free.”
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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