First Tennessee. Now Montana. Where will they try it next?
As I write you, we’re witnessing widespread attacks by authoritarian legislators to silence anyone that disagrees with them – even duly elected representatives.
- Montana House Republicans recently voted to permanently ban Rep. Zooey Zephyr after she spoke out against anti-trans bills moving through the state’s legislature and stood in solidarity with protestors.
- Just last month, Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin J. Pearson were unjustly expelled from the Tennessee House for chanting with gun safety protestors.
- Right now in Georgia, Governor Kemp just signed a bill that could remove Fulton County’s District Attorney, Fani Willis, who has launched an investigation into Trump’s schemes to manipulate or coerce election officials into tampering with the votes to overturn the election in the state
Let’s call these actions what they are – power grabs. They’re eroding our rights and silencing those who don't fit the MAGA vision of America.
John, what’s happening in Montana, Tennessee, and Georgia – not to mention attacks on press freedom in states like Florida – are signs of a larger pattern of silencing dissent. We must act swiftly and send a loud and clear message that we will not stand for this.
The values we fight for – equal justice and accountable government – are fundamental to our nation and should unite us, regardless of political affiliation. We cannot allow authoritarian extremists to silence their opposition without consequence.
That's why Common Cause urgently needs your help. Our opposition is well-funded and supported by a torrent of anti-democracy disinformation. It's up to us to sound the alarm to alert the public to these power grabs and mobilize members to push back against lawmakers attempting to silence dissent. But that takes constant vigilance and resources at the ready to act at a moment's notice.
These last few weeks have shown us that we can expect many more copycats of Montana, Tennessee, and Georgia. These actions have emboldened like-minded politicians in states across the country. So we’re going to have to ramp up our work to stop it.
The best way you can help us prepare for these state-by-state battles to safeguard equal justice is by making an emergency contribution that will help us rapidly respond to unprecedented situations like the unjust expulsion of democratically elected lawmakers.
John, American democracy depends on equal representation and protection for all of us. There’s no time to waste. Your contribution will help us continue this urgent fight for justice and accountability.
Please stand with us against anti-democracy extremists and help safeguard equal justice for all by chipping in $3 or more today >>
Thank you for all you do,
Viki Harrison, Director of Constitutional Convention & Protect Dissent Program
and the team at Common Cause
