Washington, DC, June 24, 2015—Tomorrow, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund will join thousands of civil rights leaders, voting rights groups and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) advocates at a rally calling on Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act. The event is set to take place in Elwood Park in Roanoke, Virginia on Thursday, June 25 at 1:00 p.m.
“Two years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the devastating Shelby decision and gutted the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Court’s ruling was followed by a flood of state laws across the nation that impede voters’ constitutional right to vote.
“Every year, election after election, people of color are having their right to vote diminished by unnecessary voter ID laws as well as discriminatory polling practices. As LGBTQ people, we know all too well what it means to be marginalized and denied basic rights.
“This summer, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we stand united in our commitment to ensuring that these rights are fully restored. We cannot allow these precious rights to be taken away from us when we know there was blood, sweat, and tears that was shed by so many to secure them. We must continue working to eliminate all barriers to full freedom, justice, and equality for all. We thank our legislative champions for introducing the Voting Rights Advancement Act and we strongly urge Congress to pass this vital legislation,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director.
CONTACT:
Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org