Local activists gathered in downtown Reading Friday night to call on Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey to help pass the Freedom to Vote Act.
Participants gathered at Fifth and Penn streets for Finish the Job Day of Action, one of 47 such events nationwide calling on Congress to pass election legislation recently introduced in the Senate.
Nationally sponsored by the Declaration for American Democracy, the event included speakers for Public Citizen, NAACP, League of Women Voters, Service Employees International Union, Berks Stands Up and the office of Pennsylvania Senator Judy Schwank.
Event organizers said the Freedom to Vote Act is a transformative package of reforms that will protect Americans’ freedom to vote, prevent billionaires from buying elections and guarantee that congressional districts are drawn to give fair representation for all.
“Quick and bold action by the Senate to pass robust national standards for federal elections is more critical now than ever,” said Phila Back, event organizer for Public Citizen. “As states begin to draw new maps for congressional districts, and anti-voter laws remain a threat in states across the country, the voices of Americans, especially Black and brown people, could be silenced in the 2022 midterms and future elections. In June the Pennsylvania legislature passed a sweeping voter suppression bill that was vetoed by Gov. (Tom) Wolf . The Legislature has also refused to enact legislation that would ensure fair redistricting.”
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment