From the Office of Public Witness PC(USA)- On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, we witnessed an attack on our democracy. A mob of insurrectionists stormed the United States Capitol building with the intent to overturn the 2020 Presidential election. Using violence and intimidation, the insurrectionists attempted to stop the certification of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. Though their attempt at a coup did not prevail, the attack on our democracy continued.
The 2020 general election had the highest voter turnout in over a century. However, in the months following the January 6th attack, states passed the highest number of voter suppression laws in the last ten years. Nineteen state legislatures passed 33 laws restricting the right to vote. These laws include harsher voter ID requirements, more restrictions on vote-by-mail and early voting, and more. Additionally, "440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access were introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions." In December 2021, at least 13 bills in four states were pre-filled for 2022 that would make it harder for people to vote. It is time for Congress to act and pass legislation to strengthen our democracy and protect the right to vote!
Tell your Senator to Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act!
The Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747) is a broad package that incorporates the main pillars of the For the People Act. It includes protecting the right to vote, ending partisan gerrymandering, and redistricting. It also contains campaign finance reforms and protections against emerging tactics to undermine election results after ballots are cast.
The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.4) would protect voters by holding states and jurisdictions accountable for administering elections fairly. S. 4 would prevent voting rules that discriminate against voters based on race or membership in language minority groups. It would also restore voters' right to contest discriminatory laws. Both bills have passed the House of Representatives. Now it is time for the Senate to act!
In 2008, the 218th Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly voted to approve Lift Every Voice. This policy statement affirmed that "to deny anyone a fair vote is a sin." Therefore, restricting access to voting is a sin and fundamentally goes against our Reformed Christian beliefs. As people of faith, we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone can participate in our political system for the good of the community. It is essential to ensure that everyone has the ability to make their voices heard in our democracy.
2021 was a devastating year for our democracy. It is more critical than ever that we take action to reclaim the values and promises of our electoral process.
Tell Your Senator to vote YES for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act!
Isaiah 58:6-8
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,to undo the thongs of the yoke,to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
On A Personal Note: I forward this statement from the Office of Public Witness as a way to assist Christians in being politically active and living out our faith in our society. Christians often disagree on politics, and I have stated in the past that no political party defines the Kingdom of God. However, the attack on Jan 6 to overturn a free and fair election was the first time in our history that we saw an attack by citizens on our constitutional rule of law governing elections on this scale, on the grounds of the capitol building while an election was being certified. The Christian symbols on display including "Jesus Saves" banners and the Christian flag were clearly showing that misguided Christians were involved in the pro-trump anti-democratic attack on our constitution and society. This was an attack that was incited by then President Trump (now ex-president) and has been condemned by many religious leaders. I also condemn this riot as a coup attempt that threatened the integrity of our democracy, our national security, the lives of law enforcement and the safety of legislators. This threat is far from over and Christian leaders should be outspoken in calling those Christians involved in these efforts to repentance. Omar R Gonzalez
