John, violence has no place in our elections.
A free society resolves its disagreements at the ballot box and through spirited, peaceful, public debate. And unfortunately, John, that principle – one I hope all Americans can agree on – is being tested in ways we haven’t seen since the days of Jim Crow.
We're living in a moment where political tensions are unbelievably high, with extremists actively fanning the flames of hate. Already, there are people trying to take advantage of what happened this past weekend in Pennsylvania – finger-pointing, pushing conspiracy theories, and turning up the rhetoric when we need cooler heads to prevail.
But we won’t take the bait and react. Instead, Common Cause will continue to do what we’ve always done – hold power accountable.
I'll be honest, these are uncertain times, and I'm sure you may be worried about what could come next.
But we can't get caught up in the furor. I'm writing to ask you, and every other Common Cause member reading this, to do your part and double down on your commitment to protecting our democracy.
In the immediate moment, that means thinking carefully about what you see and share online. Disinformation peddlers are keen to exploit moments like this to push their agendas, so please ensure that you are only listening to and lifting up information from sources you trust.
It also means calling out politicians when they incite violence, and condemning acts of hate. It means pushing back against laws that do harm to vulnerable people and communities. It means standing up for diversity, equity, and inclusion when our rights are under attack.
That’s why I remain committed to building a multi-racial democracy – one that is free from violence, where people can make their voices heard and cast their ballots free from fear.
And especially after this weekend’s events, leaders in our country who are trying to gain power by dividing us or spewing hatred need to find a new strategy.
John, this is a moment that Common Cause was made for, and one where we must double down on our efforts as democracy champions.
Protecting voters. Exposing disinformation. Diffusing political violence. We choose to do this work because we believe our country can be better than it is, and I will need you by my side as we strive for the democracy we deserve.
Common Cause has been around for over 50 years serving as a leader throughout trying times in our country's history – and I am ready to do it again. As we learn more, I will be in touch with other ways you can help be part of the solution.
Thanks for all you do,
Virginia Kase Solomón, President and CEO
and the team at Common Cause
