Dear John, 

One year ago today, we lost Representative John Lewis, a cherished and honored progressive member of Congress. Our government is still much poorer for this loss, but Representative Lewis wasn’t just a politician. 

Today, we remember him for his work in advancing civil rights. From the 1963 March on Washington to his work with the Voter Education Project to his consistent support for policies protecting freedom and equality, Congressman Lewis demonstrated again and again his dedication to civil rights over the course of an activist lifetime. 

This Saturday, activists across the country will hold candlelight “Good Trouble Vigils for Democracy” to demand Congress protect our freedom to vote.

In honor of Representative Lewis’ legacy, we’re pushing to pass the For the People Act (S.1) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4). As it stands, our democracy is broken beyond recognition. While politicians take huge donations from corporations and special interest groups, young and low-income voters, along with voters of color, wait for hours in line to cast a ballot—that is, if they’re even able to register. This is not the America that Representative Lewis fought for.

Luckily, we know how to fix this. The For the People Act will curb the power of big donors, prohibit gerrymandering, and increase access to voting, making for free and fair elections for all. On top of that, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will create new national standards for election laws that protect voters of color and ensure equal access to the ballot. Together, these bills will create a democracy where everyone’s vote matters.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has yet to be introduced in Congress, but the For the People Act which has already passed the House. Now, we need your help to get it through the Senate.

We can and will win this fight, 

Edwith Theogene
Director of Advocacy
Generation Progress