Friends,

As a longtime organizer and activist, I’ve been arrested for civil disobedience — something for which I have taken inspiration and guidance from the late Congressman John Lewis. Our job as activists and organizers, regardless of where we sit, is to push the boundaries of what is seen as possible. That’s why we’ve both demanded change while taking to the streets and within the halls of power, including helping to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act in the House to return power to the landmark voting rights legislation that was gutted by the Supreme Court in 2013.

As we’ve seen Black voters across the country be disenfranchised throughout the primary, it’s critical that we pass this legislation to combat voter suppression — yet Mitch McConnell has allowed it to collect dust on his desk since last year. My friend John Lewis was not beaten bloody on the bridge in Selma only for his legacy to be stalled by the GOP-led Senate’s inaction. John Lewis has unfortunately passed away, but his legacy must be that we continue to fight for what he gave so much of his life to: voting rights.

Will you join me in calling on the Senate to honor John Lewis’ memory and restore voting rights by passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act?

The original Voting Rights Act of 1965 — which John Lewis marched, bled, and almost died for — no longer has its full power. So the Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore the power by holding states and localities with discriminatory voting laws and practices accountable. It’s critical to pass this legislation as soon as possible so that every vote counts and every voice is heard — just like John Lewis fought for all his life.

Call on the Senate to restore voting rights by passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Thank you for making sure we continue John Lewis’ march. We must make good, necessary trouble to make him proud, and never, ever give up, never give in on our fight for equality and justice.

Pramila Jayapal