FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 6, 2025 -- # -- We Support Voting Rights We believe that for democracy to work best, it must include us all. Washington, D.C. — On March 5th, ahead of the 60th Anniversaries of Bloody Sunday and Turnaround Tuesday in Selma Alabama, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA). The bill would help restore the full strength of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and is named after the late civil rights icon, Representative John R. Lewis. The principle that all individuals have equal value and should have equal rights and opportunities is foundational to democracy. Only with equal access to voting for all can our system of government be deemed equitable and representative of the people’s will. These are principles that UUSJ supports. On this matter, Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director of UUSJ, stated: "We Unitarian Universalists celebrate the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The greatness of our nation lies not in our wealth or global prestige but in the promise of the gifts that were given at our founding—freedom, equality, and liberty. It is our progress, generation upon generation, to improve on the initial rendering and expression of those gifts, wherein America claims its mantle as leader of the free world. During this season of trials and tribulations for our democratic norms, Congress must defend our mantle here at home. We call upon Congress to use every ounce of courage and muster every iota of conviction—for all of us, our republic. They must protect the right to vote and make voting more accessible for every eligible voter if they wish to walk in the footsteps of our nation’s giants. As Unitarian Universalists, we hold sacred the inherent worth and dignity of every person, humanity’s interdependence, the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large, and the pursuit of justice. We believe what affects one of us affects us all. We urge broad, bi-partisan, full-throated support by members of Congress for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act." -- # - # -- | 
