The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for July 17, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
July 17th marks the anniversary of the death of civil rights icon and democracy champion Congressman John Lewis. Exactly two years before he died, he gave a speech before the U.S. House on the right to vote, in support of the Voter Empowerment Act. We have an excerpt of his speech.
(Unlike the audio report, we’ve included the entire speech below)
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO OPPOSE THIS RULE AND TO SUPPORT
Congressman John Lewis, July 18, 2018
THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. IN A DEMOCRACY, THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS THE MOST POWERFUL NONVIOLENT TOOL WE HAVE.
MANY PEOPLE MARCH AND PROTESTED FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE. SOME GAVE A LITTLE BLOOD. AND OTHERS LOST THEIR LIVES.
SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THAT THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS PRECIOUS, ALMOST SACRED. IN MY HEARTS OF HEART, I BELIEVE
THAT WE SHOULD MAKE IT SIMPLE AND CONVENIENT FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS TO BE PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHETHER YOU’RE BLACK OR WHITE, LATINO,
ASIAN AMERICAN OR NATIVE AMERICAN. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
ON MARCH 7, 1965, I GAVE A LITTLE BLOOD ON THE EDMUND
PETTUS BRIDGE FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE. BEFORE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 WAS PASSED, SOME PEOPLE HAD TO COUNT THE NUMBER SOAP BUBBLES IN A BAR OF SOAP OR THE NUMBER OF JELLY BEANS IN JAR AND ALL ACROSS AMERICA TODAY WHEN PEOPLE GO OUT TO ATTEMPT TO VOTE, THEY STAND IN LONG, IMMOVEABLE LINES.
THAT’S NOT RIGHT. IT’S NOT FAIR. AND IT’S NOT JUST.
WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE MUST DO BETTER. WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION, A MISSION AND A MANDATE TO EMPOWER ALL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, NOT JUST A SELECT FEW.
WE MUST DO WHAT IS RIGHT, WHAT IS FAIR, AND WHAT IS JUST.
TODAY OUR DEMOCRACY IS UNDER ATTACK BY FORCES WITHIN AND FORCES ABROAD. WE NEED TO FIX IT AND FIX IT NOW. FOR THESE REASONS — I’M PROUD TO SPONSOR H.R. 12, THE VOTER EMPOWERMENT ACT, WITH MY FRIENDS AND MY COLLEAGUES.
IT IS A GOOD BILL, A NECESSARY BILL, AND A PATRIOTIC BILL TO PROTECT AND TO PRESERVE OUR VOTING SYSTEM. I URGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO SUPPORT THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AND I YIELD BACK.
Congressman John Lewis will be honored with a National Day of Commemoration and Action in over 80 locations around the U.S. on July 17th. We’ve linked to the schedule at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Office of Congressman John Lewis – Speech in the U.S. House, July 18, 2018
U.S. Congress – HR 12 Voter Empowerment Act
U.S. Congress – John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (2024)
Declaration for American Democracy – John Lewis National Day of Commemoration and Action Events
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy, APIA Vote, Human Rights Campaign, League of Women Voters, Common Cause, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
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