*The following post is part of JCJ’s Awareness to Action: 21 Days Toward Racial Justice campaign.*
Today, we remember the leadership and legacy of Congressman John Lewis (z”l), who passed away on Friday. JCJ Executive Director Rabbi Joel Simonds wrote on Friday evening:
“Congressman Lewis reminded us of our better angels as he moved us forward from fight to fight from justice to justice from hope to hope. Rest in power, may we be worthy of your message and may we continue the march.”
We continue that march today in our Awareness to Action: 21 Days Towards Racial Justice campaign by urging the Senate to vote on the Voting Rights Advancement Act, HR 4, which passed the House of Representatives on December 6, 2019 with Congressman Lewis presiding from the Speaker’s Chair.
To honor his legacy, we call on the Senate to take up this crucial legislation. We’ve included a sample call script below for your convenience:
“Hi my name is [YOUR NAME]. I am calling from the Jewish Center for Justice to ask that Senator [YOUR SENATOR’S NAME] honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis by working with Senate colleagues to take up the House passed HR 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act. This bill would help restore the power of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and ensure that all who want to vote will be free of suppression and intimidation.”
To find out more about HR 4, click here.