Rep. Grijalva to Join Rev. Jesse Jackson at Voting Rights March in Atlanta
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2005
Rep. Grijalva to Join Rev. Jesse Jackson at Voting Rights March in Atlanta
Tucson, AZ - On August 6 2005, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva will join the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in commemorating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act at a march in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rep. Grijalva will be one of the many speakers to call attention to the threats facing minorities and the poor as key provisions of the Act come up for renewal in 2007.
The Voting Rights Act was passed by Congress and signed by Lyndon Johnson in 1965. It provides protection for voters against actions taken by states to limit participation in the electoral process, actions most often targeted toward ethnic minorities and low income citizens.
In 1975, the Voting Rights Act was amended to require bilingual ballots and voting assistance in areas with significant language minority citizens. English-only ballots had the effect of serving as literacy tests for Latinos and Native Americans who were non-English speaking voters. These bilingual requirements expire in 2007. In addition, the Voting Rights Act was amended in 1982 to protect the rights of voters with disabilities.
"The Voting Rights Act created an historic rise in Latino and African American elected officials all around the nation, but it is not enough" said Grijalva. "It is unfortunate that after 40 years, voter inequities, disparities, and obstacles still remain for far too many minority voters. For instance, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights concluded that widespread voter disenfranchisement took place in Florida in the 2000 presidential election, not only among African American voters, but also among thousands of Spanish-speaking voters."
"In the 2004 presidential election, there were not enough voting machines in minority areas in Ohio, leading to appallingly long lines. There were reports of improper purging of the voter rolls in Florida. In addition, the patchwork use of provisional ballots in Ohio and elsewhere led to unequal treatment under the law. It is imperative that this right is kept in the minds of not only the politicians but the citizens of this nation. That the right to vote is not just for the privileged few but for all those who seek justice and fairness in America," Grijalva stated.
The Keep the Vote Alive Pro-Democracy March and Rally is also supported by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the AFL-CIO and a host of other organizations.
For more information, please go to http://www.keepthevotealive.org
http://www.house.gov/grijalva/press/press_releases/pr_080205.html