MEDIA ADVISORY: SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021, 11am – 4 pm CT
National Contact: Jonah Minkoff-Zern, [email protected]
Illinois Contact: Rose Colacino, [email protected]
For Immediate Release
May 8th Indivisibles across Illinois join The Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC), Public Citizen, Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and 200+ coalition partners hold the National John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Action Day
Local Groups Host Massive Mobilizations In 150+ Cities In the Streets Via Votercades To Defeat Voter Suppression Efforts and Promote Democratic Reforms
RSVP FOR THE NATIONAL BROADCAST
RSVP FOR EVANSTON EVENT 1-3pm Evanston Lorraine Morton Civic Center 2100 Ridge Ave
RSVP FOR CHICAGO EVENT 1:30-3:30pm Lake Shore Drive 641 E 31st St
RSVP FOR DOLTON EVENT 1:30-3:30pm Abundant Living Christian Center 14540 Lincoln Ave
RSVP FOR PALATINE EVENT 1-3pm Palatine Gurdwara 1280 Winnetka St
RSVP FOR WARRENVILLE EVENT 1-3pm IBEW Local Union 701 Hall 28600 Bella Vista Pkwy
RSVP FOR JOLIET EVENT 1-3pm All Nation Church of God 507 Water St
RSVP FOR CHAMPAIGN EVENT 1-3pm Country Fair Parking Lot 229 S Mattis Ave
RSVP FOR SWANSEA EVENT 12-2pm Schranz Memorial Park, 360 Honeysuckle Ln
WHEN: Saturday, May 8, 2021, 11 AM – 4 PM CT
WHAT: Activation of nationwide Votercades to raise awareness and create energy around protecting the right to vote by supporting the passage of federal legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965: Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC), Public Citizen, Declaration for American Democracy (DFAD), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and our 200+ coalition partners will also host a National John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Action Day National Broadcast via Zoom on May 8, 2021 in support of S1: For the People Act (S1), John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4), D.C. statehood, and addressing the issue of the filibuster. There are more than 300 endorsing organizations of the mobilization and more than 150 cities hosting events, focused on activating communities of color.
WHO: Activists in over 150 cities across the country;
National Zoom Broadcast Speakers:
Daryl D. Jones Esq, TJC Board Chair, Host
Barbara Arnwine Esq – President, Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC)
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Rainbow Coalition
Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, and Founder and President, Dolores Huerta Foundation
Georgene Louis, New Mexico State Representative
Crys Matthews, Singer/Songwriter, crysmatthews.com
Raphael Coly
Family of Ahmaud Arbery
Mothers of #SayHerName: Gina Best, Mother of India Kager and Rhonda Dormeus, Mother of Korryn Gaines
Via Video: Martin Luther King, III, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA); Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Former Attorney General Eric Holder; U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (CA); U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO); U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes (MD); U.S. Congresswoman Terri Siwell (AL); U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI); Robert Weissman, President, Public Citizen; Marc Morial, President, National Urban League; Wade Henderson, Acting President and CEO, The Leadership Council on Civil and Human Rights, Maria Teresa Kumar, President, Voto Latino; La Tosha Brown, Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter; Fmr. Chief Judge Peggy A. Quince, Former Chief Justice, Florida Supreme Court; Rev. Glencie Rhedrick; Dr. Cassandra Gould, Executive Director, Missouri Faith Voices
BACKGROUND:
Following the record-breaking Black, Brown and Youth voter turnout in the Georgia Runoff election, state legislatures across America have released an offensive onslaught of undemocratic legislation designed to specifically suppress the vote of communities of color and youth voters. These actions were made possible in many states due to the erosion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder (2013). The John Lewis Votercade Series, created and utilized to address voter turnout, was successful across America during the 2020 General Election. The Votercade Series now aggressively addresses the preservation of Voting Rights through the enactment of the For The People Act (HR1/S1) & The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4).
MORE INFORMATION: https://www.johnlewisdayofaction.org/
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Indivisible Illinois is part of the locally-led, people-powered Indivisible Project network, a grassroots American movement founded in 2016, with thousands of chapters in urban, suburban and rural areas, with at least two groups in every congressional district. Indivisible Illinois engages and empowers people in the Land of Lincoln, the Home of Obama, the Heart of the Midwest, to promote a progressive agenda, elect progressive leaders, and realize progressive government.
