The following is a statement from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on Governor Greg Abbott signing voting restriction legislation SB 1 into law:
“With a stroke of a pen, Governor Abbott has codified intimidation of and discrimination against Texas voters of color. For decades, voting in Texas has already been a challenge, and will now become that much more riddled with hurdles that disportionately impact disenfranchised communities across the state.
“While our governor and the Texas right-wing are ruthlessly committed to shrinking the electorate and diluting the strength of Black and Latino voters, our side is about expanding the electorate and making sure our democracy is healthiest with maximum participation at the ballot box. That’s why TOP is proud to join a powerful slate of voting rights defenders in suing the State of Texas to stop SB 1 from going into effect. We also demand our Democratic-controlled Congress to bring the For The People Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act to floor votes immediately and work to ensure their expeditious passage.
“This voter suppression law will not hold us back from channeling the frustration of millions of Texans who are sick and tired of our governor and Republican lawmakers infringing on our rights in order to implement a radical, far-right agenda.
“Governor Abbott, we will have our presence felt in the courts, at the ballot box, and in the streets.”
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Texas Organizing Project organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris and Bexar counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.
This press statement was sent out September 7, 2021.