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"Jim Crow in the 21st Century"
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Dear Friends and Supporters:
Prominent Black Fortune 500 executives, including Merck chief executive Ken Frazier and Berkshire Hathaway director Kenneth Chenault, publicized an open letter challenging business leaders and corporations to “publicly and directly oppose” laws restricting the right to vote. The executives are addressing legislative campaigns—completed in Georgia and underway in many other states—to pass laws that will suppress the minority vote and erase hard-fought gains of the Civil Rights era.
The Open Letter disseminated by Lawyers Defending American Democracy calls on leaders in the legal community—including law firms, bar associations, and law schools—to likewise meet the real and alarming threat of a return to Jim Crow.
Lawyers have a special duty to defend democracy, justice, and equality. Some of the most revered lawyers in U.S. history are those who fought for voting rights. The most influential leaders of our profession must be more vocal and active in the face of today’s discriminatory attacks on voter access.
Please sign the Open Letter calling on all leaders and members of the legal profession to do their utmost to protect voting rights—the cornerstone of our democracy. We would appreciate your signature before 5:00 p.m. TODAY as we are planning to report and publicize our letter and your support.
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Please also consider sharing this message and the Open Letter with your colleagues.
Signed,
The Steering Committee, Lawyers Defending American Democracy
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