Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, in partnership with local elected officials and civic leaders, hosted a “John Lewis National Day of Commemoration and Action” news conference on Wednesday, July 17, the four-year mark of the passing of Rep. John Lewis. It was 150 events happening in 41 states and Washington, D.C. to celebrate his extraordinary legacy.
“John Lewis once said, ‘The vote is the most powerful, nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society.’ If you care about justice and civil rights, if you believe in democracy, call your representatives in Congress today and demand they support the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,” Commissioner Ellis said.
Participants called on Congress to pass critical legislation to protect the freedom to vote and end gerrymandering to realize Rep. Lewis’ vision for a democracy that works for all of us.
Three years have passed since the failed attack on our nation and our democracy on January 6. Since that day, anti-voter laws have been passed in states, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rulings have made clear that it will not act to protect the sacred right to vote. This summer, congressional districts risk being redrawn in a way that will allow politicians to choose their voters, rather than the voters fairly choosing who represents them.
Voting-rights supports are calling on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom To Vote Act, the Native American Voting Rights Act, and the Washington D.C. Admission Act.
Commissioner Ellis, local elected officials and civic leaders hosted this event in partnership with the Declaration for American Democracy, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Black Voters Matter Fund, the League of Women Voters, the Transformative Justice Coalition, Public Citizen, and dozens of other organizations as part of the John Lewis National Day of Commemoration and Action.
“Congressman Lewis knew the importance of taking action to protect and expand voting rights. As southern states continue to pass laws to restrict the right to vote, we must do all we can to make sure that every eligible voter can get registered and cast their ballot. That’s how we honor a great man with a great legacy.” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee
“The Honorable John Lewis was a sacrificial warrior for voting rights. The sophistry of voter reduction and voter suppression strategies is shameful and insulting to the legacy of such a great American. This sacred right must be protected to preserve democracy.” Bishop James Dixon, President, Houston NAACP