Posted on 07/01/2015 10:13:11 AM PDT by Perseverando
A coalition of civil rights and other activists demanded Thursday that U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte take action to revive a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in a downtown Roanoke rally of more than 300 people.
“I’m here to tell you something, Congressman Goodlatte. Fix the Voting Rights Act!” said Priscilla Ouchida of the Japanese American Citizens League, one of more than two dozen groups represented.
Organizers hope the rally — which included state activists and national figures — will ramp up public pressure on the Roanoke County Republican, who chairs the committee where efforts to update the voter protection law have stalled.
Thursday was the second anniversary of the Shelby County v. Holder ruling, a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the decades-old formula used to determine which states — based on a history of voting-relating discrimination — had to submit to federal review or “preclearance” on election issues.
The high court, in a 5-4 decision, concluded the formula was outdated and had no logical connection to present-day conditions.
For Virginia and eight other states, the ruling lifted the mandate to get federal approval on decisions ranging from redistricting changes to voter registration requirements.
Congress could update the preclearance formula, but hasn’t done so. Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has consistently defended the law and its remaining protections as strong.
Updating it would be unnecessary unless new evidence of voter discrimination surfaces, he said.
“Hold a hearing, Mr. Chairman,” Brenda Hale, president of the Roanoke Branch NAACP, urged Thursday. “You’ll hear the evidence.”
During the more than three-hour rally, speakers from a coalition of groups — including religious leaders, disability organizations, good government advocates and national figures from the NAACP
(Excerpt) Read more at roanoke.com ...
Apparently there is a traveling road show going around the country staging these publicity rallies pushing for overturning any state and federal voter ID laws.
Appears the organized national (paid) activists from the Sierra Club, NAACP, gay gang, Hispanic groups, etc. link up with local groups for media blitz before moving on to the next venue.
I didn't hear anything about it until it made the media. Obviously they don't want any opposition at the staged event.
Gotta provide ID for Sudefed cold medicine but not for voting.
......”The lawsuit argues the law, passed by a Republican-dominated legislature, was designed to suppress Democratic turnout.”
Protest too much here. They are actually projecting that in fact they need to remove the law so they can win by cheating.
They might as well be standing on the rooftop yelling “WE HAVE TO CHEAT TO WIN!”
So none of these agitators drink alcohol? One needs to show id to buy beer. Is that racist?
Over 300 people! Overwhelming support!
Ping
Apparently there is a traveling road show going around the country staging these publicity rallies pushing for overturning any state and federal voter ID laws.
Apparently there is a traveling road show going around the country staging these publicity rallies pushing for overturning any state and federal voter ID laws.
Appears the organized national (paid) activists from the Sierra Club, NAACP, gay gang, Hispanic groups, etc. link up with local groups for media blitz before moving on to the next venue.
Thanks, Whenifhow.
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