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Phi Beta Sigma Joins The Fight For Voting Rights, Calling On Members And
SPOTLIGHT
ANDREA
This week’s Spotlight feature is the lovely Andrea, and she is really something special. She is a very confident young lady who knows success is just a matter of hard work and being in the right place at the right time. This young lady has managed to stay focused and down-to- earth during her journey. Just stay tuned, and we’re sure you’ll be hearing and seeing more of Andrea. Congratula- tions to Andrea as this week’s Spotlight feature.
Others To Take Part In Hunger Strike
WASHINGTON, DC --- Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, are serious about voting rights. So much so, they are joining a fasting movement until change is made.
Bro. Malwan Johnson, International Director of So- cial Action, along with Presi- dent Chris V. Rey, J.D., is encouraging all brothers of Phi Beta Sigma, sisters of Zeta Phi Beta, other D9 organizations, family members, and friends to join in solidarity with Bro. Joe Madison, "The Black Eagle," during his ongoing hunger strike. The purpose of the hunger strike is to place pressure on the U. S. Senate to pass voter rights legislation; specifically, the John Lewis Voting Enhancement Act.
“Too many people have fought and died for our right to vote, so we cannot sit idly by and watch States pass restric- tive laws aimed at suppressing people's access to the ballot box," Johnson said.
Over the past year, we have seen 19 states pass more than 33 voter suppression laws that range from restrictive voter ID laws to the removal of drop boxes and the reduction of polling locations. It comes as the U. S. saw the highest voter turnout in a century, during the 2020 election cycle. That's according to The Brennan Center for Justice, an inde-
pendent, nonpartisan law and policy organization.
"Our right to vote must be protected. I believe that is the only way we can ensure that our collective voice is heard. I am fasting for voting rights be- cause I believe that actions have a stronger impact than words," Johnson said.
President Joe Biden is set to visit Georgia this week to highlight voting rights legisla- tion.
According to a White House communication, the President and Vice President will "speak to the American people about the urgent need to pass legisla- tion to protect the constitu- tional right to vote and the integrity of our elections. These remarks will be held at the Atlanta University Center Consortium on the grounds of Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. "
"The President will force-
fully advocate for protecting the most bedrock American right: the right to vote and have your voice counted in a free, fair, and secure election that is not tainted by partisan manipulation," said Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson.
She went on to say, "He'll make clear, in the former dis- trict of the late Congressman John Lewis, that the only way to do that is for the Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act."
And as the president pushes, the fraternity pushes on... being the change we want to see. "I am calling on Congress to not only pass the Freedom for Voting Rights Act and the John R. Lewis Voting En- hancement Law, but to also make Election Day a federal holiday. Join me in some "Good Trouble" by fasting for voting rights," Johnson said.
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