“Here we go again in a lame duck session of the Michigan Legislature,” says Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP. “Some representatives are engaged in an effort to disenfranchise and to minimize the ability of the people of this state to engage in the democratic process of voting. These House Bills, designed to bankrupt the democratic process of the people, should be a cause for shame and outrage on the part of every Michigan voters.”
The Rev. Dr. James C. Perkins, President, Progressive Baptist Convention, Inc also expresses concern for the pending House Bills. “This is an egregious effort to prevent people of color, youth, and seniors from exercising their franchise,” said Perkins. “We are committed to being that voice that cries in that political wilderness advocating for the right of all people to be included in the exercise of their constitutional rights.”
Additional participants in the press conference will include ACLU Michigan and the Michigan State Conference NAACP.
“The ACLU is even more committed to protecting the rights of every citizen,” says Kary Moss, Executive Director, ACLU Michigan. “The right to vote without any constraints continue to be a most critical priority for all of us. During this changing political climate, we must do everything that we can to preserve our rights and to leverage our collective strength. We have to use every resource at our disposal that is legal and appropriate in order to maintain the historic gains that we have made as a nation. We believe that the state of Michigan must move into the 21st century. The task of voting should be made easier, not harder.”
Michigan State Conference of the NAACP, led by Yvonne White, is calling upon all branches throughout the state to mobilize against pending legislation. According to President White, “The right to vote is at the cornerstone of the priorities for the NAACP. We have fought too hard and too long to protect these rights and we shall not turn back now.”
For more information on the Detroit Branch NAACP please call (313) 871-2087 or visit www.detroitnaacp.org.
