FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: LaToya Henry March 31, 2021 (313) 447-6404

OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT

THE VIRUS OF VOTER SUPPRESSION IS NOW THE EPIDEMIC WITHIN OUR DEMOCRACY! Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP

DETROIT – Standing underneath the canvass of a notorious slave plantation in Wilkes County Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp and six white male Republicans signed into law a voter suppression bill. Among other things it makes it illegal to give food and water to Black people while standing in line to vote. The state of Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis is now considering the same law. It reminds one of the era when it was illegal to the point of death to give Black’s food, water, and shelter as they escaped from slavery to freedom. The symbolism of this historic trauma and continuous fallout from the antebellum period of enslavement to the 21st century of resentment could not be more clear. A Black female Georgia State Representative Park Cannon, who knocked on the door of the governor to observe the signing of this law, was handcuffed and arrested 50 seconds after her first knock. This act was in stark contrast to the hundreds of white insurrectionists who stormed the nation’s capital, knocking down doors, breaking windows, and injuring over 160 officers and security personnel. The insurrection led to the death of five people, among them police officer Brian D. Sicknick. They beat police officers with American flags and their poles while attempting to stop democracy from proceeding on course. It is in contrast to those who were involved in last year’s storming of the Michigan State capital with AK-47’s, AR-15’s, side arms, confederate flags, and hangman’s nooses. They marched through the halls of the capital demanding action against the governor and state lawmakers with impunity.

Representative Park Cannon stands up to protect and defend freedom and democracy while Rosa Parks sat down to actualize and extend our freedom and democracy. The symbolism of these acts is so loud that it deafens the ears. It is so bright that it becomes the light to show us the way forward. We must not forget that Governor Kemp said, “Georgia law prohibited the governor from interfering in elections,” when challenged by former President Donald Trump to overturn the Georgia results of 2020. In one of his infamous tweets Trump said, “The governor does nothing. I’m ashamed I endorsed him.” He even charged Secretary of State Bradford Raffensperger to re-calculate the vote because “I want to find 11,780 votes.” Both Kemp and Raffensperger are Donald Trump supporters. Yet, according to Secretary of State Raffensperger, We don’t have systemic voter suppression and we don’t have mass voter fraud. What we have is systemic lies for political gain that has led to a loss of public confidence in our elections.” Despite all this Governor Kemp signed into law one of the most repressive voter suppression bills in U.S. history. This tyranny, part of a national strategy, is exposed in the words of Attorney Michael Carvin representing the Arizona republican party. In a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court dealing with proposed election reform in Arizona, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked why the republican party was trying to reinstate laws struct down by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The law cited a disproportionate impact on minority voters. Carvin replied, “Because it puts us at a competitive disadvantage relative to Democrats. Politics is a zero-sum game. And every extra vote they get through unlawful interpretation of section 2 (of the Voting Rights Act) hurts us. It’s the difference between winning an election 50 to 49 and losing and election 51 to 50.”

-more Page 2 Suppression Epidemic

Voter suppression has indeed become an American epidemic. 43 states have now introduced 253 bills to suppress the Black vote throughout this nation. Michigan is one of them. Unlike Georgia, Michigan has a governor that believes in voter participation not voter suppression. Michigan is now the state with 39 bills introduced by a Republican Senate led by Mike Shirkey of Clarklake, Ruth Johnson of Holly, and Matt Hall of Emmett Township. They seek to turn back the clock on voter access. These bills do not want you to Take Your Soles to the Polls and Vote. They would rather have you get off your feet and take a back seat. As a matter of fact, why don’t you just turn around, go back home, and leave the voting to people who will vote for our chosen candidates. Ron Weiser, Chairman of the Michigan GOP and a member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, in dangerous remarks said, “Our job now is to soften up those three witches and make sure that when we have good candidates to run against them that they are ready for the burning at the stake.” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s very life has already been threatened as three suspects will now face trial. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson had her home in Detroit surrounded at night by protestors using megaphones as her four-year-old son was putting up Christmas decorations while preparing to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Attorney General Dana Nessel targeted by folks who resent her commitment to justice said, “We need help. We need new finances to do our job.” She has expanded her department’s Hate Crime Unit to include domestic terrorism due to the overlap in extremism ideologies.

Michigan does not have an outbreak of voter fraud. Black and brown Michigan citizens are just as important as other citizens. Racial equity should not be sacrificed on the scaffold of political expediency. Among these egregious bills we must not allow Michigan “To stop postage for absentee ballot returns, restrict ballot drop boxes and no use after 5 pm, require even more ID when applying for absentee ballots, block unsolicited absentee ballots from being mailed out to citizens, or to strip the power away from the Secretary of State to really oversee the elections in the state.” Michigan must not become Georgia. Everyone has a stake in our democracy. Citizens, corporations, businesses, and foundations must work together. Citizens must speak up and stand up against this tyranny. Corporations, businesses, and foundations who believe in racial equity and democracy must go on record and say no to this attack against our democracy. If we lose our democratic edge and the right to vote, then everything else is off the table. If they can do it to citizens today, they will do it to companies, businesses, and others tomorrow. Charity is not justice. It is not enough to write a check while surely that is needed and appreciated. You must also write your name on the list as advocates for freedom and justice. Inform politicians who are trying to steal democracy from America that you will not support their efforts. Use your lobbyist to lobby against this voter suppression. Do not contribute financially to those who seek to stop the vote. Put Juneteenth into action by remembering the right to vote today not two years later. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., not with a day but guiding the way towards voting for opportunity and racial equity. Remember John Lewis not only by his words but by his deeds. “The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democracy.” We must support H.R.1, the For The People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act. It is not enough to call for justice through your TV set from the comfort of your home or office. Do not just feel sorry for the nine-year-old Black child (who should not be anywhere near a case like this) testifying in the George Floyd murder trial of another Black man. We must feel the need to eliminate racial inequity and injustice throughout the land. Justice must be championed from the streets to the suites. After all, “What does the Lord require of us but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our Lord,” Micah 6:8. This is the moment. This is the time. Let us never forget the words of Dr. King, “In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” The stakes are too high. The threat is too great for any of us to remain silent.

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