The King family is leading a call for immediate action on voting rights. Add your name to the national Jewish petition to amplify their demands.

We are living through the most coordinated effort to disenfranchise voters since Jim Crow.

Protecting the upcoming election in November is paramount, but the window for action is narrowing: 19 states have already enacted laws to sabotage fair elections, restrict voting rights, and overturn the will of the people.¹

That’s why Bend the Arc is joining Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, and Yolanda Renee King, alongside faith leaders, civil rights leaders, and voting rights advocates, to demand action on voting rights this month.

Today we’re launching a national Jewish petition to organize our communities and amplify the King family’s call to action.

Add your name to the Jewish petition: Demand Congress honor Dr. King’s legacy by protecting the right to vote.

The good news: This week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced bold plans to hold a vote on or before January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to protect fair and free elections.²

This is our chance to show up with the full force of the Jewish community to honor Dr. King’s legacy and prevent the next attempt at a minority takeover by the white nationalist movement and their allies in government.

We join with the family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and millions of fellow Americans to demand Congress act urgently to defend democracy by passing:

• The Freedom to Vote Act, which would reverse anti-voter laws passed this year
• The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore the ability of the Justice Department to review discriminatory changes to voting rules
• The Protecting Our Democracy Act, which would prevent future presidents from abusing their power for personal gain, and
• The Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would grant the more than 700,000 residents of our nation’s capital a meaningful voice and a vote in Congress.

And as part of this fight, we’re calling on the Senate to change filibuster rules to make passing voting rights legislation possible. We know changing these rules is possible — they already did it last month to address the debt ceiling.³

After you sign the petition, keep an eye on your inbox. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share opportunities for action as we mobilize with hundreds of partners and thousands of people like you.

We cannot be silent, nor should we despair. One year ago, Georgia voters elected their first Black senator since Reconstruction and their first Jewish senator ever. It’s a testament to decades of Black grassroots organizing and the vision of multiracial democracy we are fighting for.

We can make that vision a reality. But the time for action is running out. If Congress doesn’t pass these laws this month, we may not be able to protect voting rights in states across the country for the midterm elections.

Add your name to demand Congress act urgently to protect free and fair elections — the very foundation of our democracy.

Thank you for rising with us,

The Bend the Arc team

Sources

1. NBC News, 19 states enacted voting restrictions in 2021. What's next?
2. Washington Post, Schumer says Senate will vote by Jan. 17 on changing rules if GOP continues to block voting rights legislation
3. Vox, Where things stand on the debt ceiling — and a filibuster exception