Mary Frances Berry - To honor John Lewis, we must turn back the rising tide of voter suppression. It has been a long and tumultuous year for voting rights since we lost one of their greatest defenders

It has been a long and tumultuous year since America’s loss of the legendary John Lewis. A year when we saw the birth of hope for a new era under new national leadership. A year when we experienced the violent and literal assault on our democratic institutions and the legitimacy of our elections. And a year that brings us face to face with a harsh fact: that Lewis’ lifelong pursuit of equal access to the ballot for Black and brown Americans is being systematically dismantled by many who paid tribute to his legacy just 12 short months ago.

To honor John Lewis, we must turn back this rising tide of voter suppression.

In state after state, Republican legislatures are passing laws to suppress votes. A Supreme Court dominated by Republican appointees has further undermined the Voting Rights Act. And through it all, the hypocrisy of Republican politicians when it comes to Black voters has been on full display.

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