Voting Rights Strengthens American Democracy

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On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) introduced H.R. 14, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023. In response, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) issued the following statement:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2023
Contact: Pablo DeJesús | info@uusj.org 

Voting Rights Strengthens American Democracy

Congress must pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, federal legislators reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023. The Voting Rights Act had a long history of bipartisan support, and this bill merits similar bipartisan support. If passed, the measure will restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act, repairing the damage done since Shelby County and Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee.

“As Unitarian Universalists, we are deeply committed to a profound inclusionary American democracy. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 moves us in this direction, ” said Pablo DeJesús, executive director of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice. “For the good of our entire nation, we affirm today that our democracy works best for each of us as individuals when it covers all of our communities in the liberty we want, a liberty that is secured by peaceful means, at the ballot box, in free and fair elections; a liberty based on participation that includes all of us regardless of color, political party, or zip code,” said DeJesús.

“In our faith tradition, we uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every person as well as a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We value the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process. As a consequence of our principles and our values, we believe that voting rights matter for every person in the U.S.,” continued DeJesús.

“We reject the forces of hate and exclusion that seek to deny and dilute our fundamental right to vote, especially for voters of color. Our generation’s federal legislators must rise to the challenge of this moment and meet their obligations to protect the right to vote. Congress must pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023,” concluded DeJesús.

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