Democracies Fail Without Racial Justice

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House

Background

Racial justice is foundational to democracy. Democracy cannot co-exist with white supremacist terror and voter suppression. We cannot protect democracy without addressing white supremacism.

From 1865 to 1950, thousands of Blacks were lynched in acts of white supremacist terror. Police continue to inflict white supremacist terror, murdering Blacks without consequences. The House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The Senate stalls -- gutting its protections, hoping to avoid a filibuster fight.

On Bloody Sunday, white supremacists in Selma attacked Blacks asserting their freedom to vote. Two weeks later, protected by federal troops, civil rights activists marched to the state Capitol in Montgomery to protest voter suppression and other state-sanctioned terror aimed at Black communities. Because activists worked relentlessly, refusing to give up or give in, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act five months later, on August 6th, 1965.

Roberts' SCOTUS gutted the VRA. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act strengthens the original protections for our freedom to vote no matter the color of our skin. But this bill, too, languishes in Congress.

The freedom to live without fear matters. The freedom to vote without fear matters. Together, we continue the work to fulfill democracy's promise.

1. Call the Senate.

Script Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I believe the freedom to live and vote without fear matters. Yet the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act languishes in the Senate, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act hasn't even been introduced this session. I urge you to stand with democracy and insist on the urgency of passing both these two bills.

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I believe the freedom to live and vote without fear matters. Yet the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act languishes in the Senate, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act hasn't even been introduced this session. I urge you to stand with democracy and insist on the urgency of passing both these two bills.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

I believe the freedom to live and vote without fear matters. Yet the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act languishes in the Senate and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act hasn't even been introduced this session. I urge you to stand with democracy and work with your colleagues across the aisle to pass these two bills.

2. Call the House.

Look up your rep.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I don't believe democracy and white supremacy can co-exist. I urge you to re-introduce the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and help push it through the House as quickly as possible.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I don't believe democracy and white supremacy can co-exist. I urge you to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure everyone has the freedom to vote no matter the color of their skin.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I don't believe democracy and white supremacy can co-exist. I urge you to re-introduce the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and help push it through the House as quickly as possible.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I don't believe democracy and white supremacy can co-exist. I urge you to re-introduce the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and help push it through the House as quickly as possible.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I don't believe democracy and white supremacy can co-exist. I urge you to re-introduce the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and help push it through the House as quickly as possible.

3. Take Action.

Demand Justice has launched a multifaceted campaign to urge Democratic Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor and work for the passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021, with the goal of pressuring Majority Leader Schumer and House Speaker Pelosi to bring it up for a vote in the Senate and the House. One facet involves contacting small donors who have contributed to Democratic campaigns urging them to tell the recipient of their donations about the importance of this legislation. To learn more about this campaign and how you can get involved, please click here.