Team,

Sixty years ago, a group of brave Americans – led by the late Congressman John Lewis – gathered in Selma, Alabama, to march toward the state capital in Montgomery in defense of the voting rights that were being denied to African Americans. On the way out of the city, the group was attacked and beaten by local police and an angry mob – an event that became known as “Bloody Sunday”.

Despite the difficulties they faced, these brave protesters continued their fight to ensure that ALL Americans received the voting rights they were constitutionally guaranteed.

The challenges these protesters faced spurred the development of the historic Voting Rights Act, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting and helped implement changes to expand ballot access for African Americans and other minority groups.

It has been a long fight to secure the freedom to vote in this country, team.

My great-great-great-grandfather gained his voting rights in 1867. He and my ancestors fought hard for freedom and equality, and their sacrifices and struggles inspired me as I ran to become the first woman and person of color to represent Delaware in the Senate. I even wore a scarf imprinted with the document that gave my great-great-grandfather his voting rights when I was sworn in.

Today, the fight to guarantee voting rights continues. Dangerous misinformation about our elections from the President and his allies are leading to attacks on ballot access. And right now, the MAGA movement in Congress is trying to pass a bill whose voter ID requirements are so strict, they could disenfranchise millions of Americans.

Team, the right to vote is a fundamental part of our democracy – and we need to make sure that right, and so many others, are protected. Will you please make a grassroots donation of any amount you can spare today to help me have the resources I’ll need to defend voting rights?

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Thank you,

Lisa Blunt Rochester