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NOW, IT IS OUR CALLING

Lucas,

Earlier this month, I saw Selma with some close friends and was reminded of the heroism of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the activists who marched alongside him. They braved incredible persecution, violence and oppression in the fight for equal voting rights-- a right many of us take for granted today. But if not for the leadership of Dr. King, President Lyndon Johnson and many others, the Voting Rights Act may never have become law.

John Lewis
Rep. John Lewis (GA-5)

Yet, despite the enormous progress made by Dr. King and other civil rights heroes, the right to vote is still being denied to too many Americans. The Supreme Court has dramatically weakened the protections of the Voting Rights Act and dozens of states have passed unreasonable voter ID laws to limit and dampen turnout.

The right of any American to elect their leaders is a fundamental part of our democracy. That's why I'm proud to be part of a bold new initiative launched by Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. James Clyburn to re-engage voters in the electoral process. The Democratic Outreach & Engagement Task Force, which was recently announced, will fight to honor Dr. King's legacy by combating injustice, empowering our citizens and fulfilling the democratic promise of America. See my remarks at the event.

My colleague, legendary civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis, then-chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, led the Selma to Montgomery March alongside Dr. King. On bloody Sunday, Congressman Lewis was attacked and his skull fractured, but that did not shake his resolve. The eventual passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act set the stage for enormous progress for our democracy.

We must show that same resolve today. It was once the mission of Dr. King, John Lewis, and so many other leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. Now, it is our calling.

Thank you,

Hakeem Jeffries

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