We are in the midst of a huge struggle to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. This legislation is crucial because:
- legislation has been passed in many states that limits the right to vote;
- the Supreme Court ruled some years ago that crucial section of the Voting Rights Act are unconstitutional and this has led to abuses across the country;
- the defeated former president of the United States led a violent insurrection aimed at overturning the results of a fair and free election and he and his supporters continue to claim the election was stolen.
Unfortunately, protection of voting rights is being held up in significant part because of the nonconstitutional filibuster rule in the US Senate that requires 60 votes for legislation to pass. I’m all for making sure the rights of those in the minority not be trampled on, but I also oppose how this rule has been used for decades to stop the advancement of civil rights. There are ways these needs can be reconciled, but this is an urgent matter because our right to vote is at stake.
The congregations and denominations that constitute the National Council of Churches have been part of the long struggle for voting rights and racial justice and what the Rev. Adam Taylor describes as the “kingdom building project.”
Right now, a huge amount of work is underway. Faiths United to Save Democracy is bringing together clergy and attorneys in voting rights education and protection, Black church leaders are on a hunger strike in support of voting rights legislation, and National Council of Churches member denominations are speaking up. We are facing an emergency.
The demographic changes underway in the United States is frightening to many White people. They fear they will lose their power and privilege and they are doing everything they can to stop these changes, including raising up an insurrection.
But, as Rev. William Barber said, our support of voting rights is not an insurrection, it’s resurrection!
Grace and peace,
Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches