Friends of the Earth joins America’s Journey for Justice outside Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier today, Friends of the Earth joined hundreds of citizens standing up for justice outside the U.S. Capitol. The rally was the culmination the “America’s Journey for Justice” – an historic, 860-mile march from Selma, Alabama to Washington, D.C. demanding justice for all people. Organized by the NAACP, in conjunction with the labor, civil rights, environmental justice, educational and faith communities, today’s event gave voice to a broad array of critical social and environmental justice issues across the United States.

Friends of the Earth Senior Democracy Campaigner Jon Fox offers the following statement:

If we want to protect our planet for future generations, Friends of the Earth believes we must deepen and strengthen our democracy. Fifty years after the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, it is now time for Congress to restore and protect the right to vote for all Americans, and ensure that no American faces discrimination at the polls.

America set the standard for participatory democracy, yet in 2015 there are still Americans who are fighting to exercise their basic right to vote and be heard.

Today’s rally sent a clear message to Congress. It’s time to protect the rights and voice of all Americans by passing the new Voting Rights Advancement Act, introduced by Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and more than 85 other cosponsors in the House.

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Expert contact: Jon Fox, (510) 900-8061, [email protected]
Communications contact: EA Dyson, (202) 222-0730, [email protected]