Trump’s attacks undermine democracy

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark legislation that worked to fight systematic racism at the ballot box and create a more equal America. As President Lyndon B. Johnson and civil rights advocates reminded us on that day, the right to vote is a key pillar of our democracy. Unfortunately, the VRA was needed because of attacks on that right - attacks that have sadly persisted.

In 2013, a conservative-controlled United States Supreme Court gutted key parts of the Voting Rights Act, voting along party lines, making it easier for states to discriminate against Black and brown voters, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Since that deci- sion, more than 70 new bills restricting voting access have been introduced nationwide. And to no one’s surprise, President Donald Trump and his followers have seen an opportunity to save his presidency by joining in.

Unfortunately, voters in Pennsylvania have become a prime target of Trump’s desperate and undemocratic agenda. As we speak, the Trump Campaign is in court trying to suppress the vote in the commonwealth. Further, a pro-Trump activist group is leading efforts to illegitimately purge voter rolls in Delco. Make no mistake: Trump is trying to save his campaign by disenfranchising everyday voters. Regardless of your party affiliation, we all know that this type of behavior is unacceptable. So let today’s anniversary be a reminder for what’s at stake this fall - equality, fairness, and the rule of law — and plan to exercise your right to vote on Nov. 3.

MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO “Voices of Voting,” written by David Bradley, focuses on the activism of the 1960s and the Voting Rights Act, while also weaving in today’s political scene with the youth. The play was performed during three days of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016.