FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 6, 2020
CONTACT: press@iowademocrats.org
Iowa Democratic Party Statement on Voting Rights Act Anniversary
DES MOINES — Iowa Democratic Party Vice-Chair June Owens released the following statement on the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act:
“On the 55th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act, Iowans across our state reflect on this hard-fought civil rights victory and what it took to achieve it. Civil rights activists across our country marched and organized in the face of immeasurable violence and oppression to achieve this milestone and tear down barriers to the ballot box. These leaders, among them John Lewis, risked their lives to make their voices heard, but the work is not done.
“Today, the Voting Rights Act has been stripped of many of its protections and the right to vote is being undermined at every turn. Republicans in Iowa and across the country are doing everything in their power to make it harder to safely vote-by-mail during a pandemic, and Donald Trump and GOP leaders have continuously attempted to silence marginalized communities.
“Iowa Democrats believe our democracy is better when more people can make their voices heard, not fewer. To honor John Lewis’ life, Iowa Democrats are committed to building on the promise of the Voting Rights Act and ensuring that everyone’s right to vote is protected, in a pandemic or otherwise. We will continue marching, organizing, and electing leaders that believe in affirming and restoring the Voting Rights Act and equality at the ballot box.”