Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Advocacy Groups Express Strong Support for Reintroduction of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
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Dorothy He comms@ncapaonline.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC), Asian and Pacific Islander Vote (APIAVote) and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), three leading advocacy groups representing the interests of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, commend Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) for the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA) in the House of Representatives on March 5th. The reintroduction comes just before the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, which marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and led to the eventual introduction and passage of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965.
The JLVRAA is a critical piece of legislation that would strengthen and modernize the VRA. It would ensure that communities of color and other marginalized groups are able to fairly participate in the civic engagement process. Numerous removals or weakening of key anti-discrimination protections of the VRA have allowed states to implement various restrictive voting laws over the years that increase barriers to the ballot. The JLVRAA would restore these provisions of the VRA, including re-establishing “preclearance” – in essence, this would mean that jurisdictions with a history or voting discrimination must receive federal approval before changing any voting laws to ensure they are not discriminatory. The JLVRAA would also empower voters to continue challenging discriminatory voting laws in court.
“Advancing Justice – AAJC has long supported and advocated for the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and welcome this reintroduction. The Act addresses not just the diversity of our country, but the unique systemic barriers to voting that AANHPI and other communities of color face,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Advancing Justice – AAJC. “The right of every eligible voter to make their voice heard at the ballot goes beyond the political spectrum and is the foundation of an effective democracy. We urge lawmakers to stand up and safeguard this right for all.”
“Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) strongly advocates for the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. With voting rights under attack, the urgency to pass the JLVRAA has never been greater. AAPIs are the fastest growing voting bloc in this country and have turned out in record numbers in recent years. Yet we have seen renewed threats to silence our voices, from federal legislative efforts such as the SAVE Act to the many states' efforts to pass similar laws that will make registering to vote nearly impossible for millions,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, passage of the JLVRAA is needed more than ever as a safeguard that will protect the fundamental right to vote for all Americans and ensure that our democratic principles are upheld. We thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell for her steadfast commitment to the JLVRAA and her leadership in ensuring that voting rights remain a priority in Congress.”
"Voting is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, yet Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities continue to face systemic barriers that suppress our political power. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a critical step toward eliminating voter suppression and ensuring that every community — regardless of race, language, or background — has equal access to the ballot box,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of NCAPA. “NCAPA is proud to support this legislation, which is fundamentally about fairness and protecting the power of the people. We will continue to champion voting rights, racial equity, and a democracy that truly represents all of us."
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