Power & Policy Update
Black Panther, scholar, and social justice leader Fred Hampton said “Power anywhere where there’s people.” It’s with this belief that we continue to focus our energy on power and policy.
For the People Act
The For the People Act, introduced by Representative John P. Sarbanes, would provide substantial voting rights reforms that are needed in order to ensure voting is easier for all Americans. If passed, the bill would increase access to the ballot box, expand voter registration and voting access, strengthen ethics rules for public servants, implement anti-corruption measures and reform campaign finance, reducing the influence of big money. Voting in this country is a right, and this bill is essential to making voting more accessible in this country.
Call to Action: Call your members of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor and vote YES on the For the People Act.
John Lewis Voting Rights Act
In 2013, the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Shelby v. Holder gutted provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, allowing for an increase in voter suppression. The John Lewis Voting Act would reestablish many of the voter protections that were gutted, including making states and counties with a history of voter suppression and discrimination get federal approval for new voting laws. The voter suppression that we have seen across the country often disproportionately affects communities of color and this bill could help make it easier for people of color to vote and prevent laws being put in place that would suppress their vote.
Call to Action: Call your members of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor and vote YES on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
The Equality Act
The 48th Anniversary of Title IX, the law that provided equal access to education, financial aid, and educational programming regardless of sex, is June 23rd. Unfortunately, it is still legal to discriminate on the basis of sex in places that are supposed to be open to everyone equally. The Equality Act and the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment would help ensure the progress made with Title IX becomes universal in all parts of public life. The Equality Act would additionally provide explicit anti-discrimination protections for both LGBTQ+ and Black people in employment, housing, education, public services, federally funded programs and many other areas of life. This bill can pass but only if we all do our part to make sure our Senators hear from us! You can find more tools and resources in our Equality Act Toolkit for Black Communities and Organizations.
Call to Action:
- Please take a second to call your U.S. Senators to ensure that each of us is treated equally and fairly in the communities and country we live, work, and create homes in. www.bit.ly/EqualityActionAlert.
Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African-Americans Act
Introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, this bill would establish a commission to examine the role of slavery and discrimination in the country from 1619 to the present and recommend remedies. The commission would study the lingering negative effects of slavery and look at forms of discrimination against freed slaves and their descendants. Reparations can help us reach a place where we can all truly be free and equal and start to heal the division that has long existed in the country.
- Call to Action: Call your members of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor and vote YES on the Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African-Americans Act.
Kristen Clarke Confirmed!
Kristen Clarke was confirmed to head the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. At her swearing-in, she became the first woman and the first woman of color to lead the division since it was created. Clarke has worked at the Justice Department, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and the New York Attorney General’s Office. Clarke brings much-needed diversity to the department and will help to ensure the safety of all Americans – no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation or wealth. Congratulations to her.
