Press Releases

January 18, 2022

Arizona Retiree Leader to Sen. Sinema: Do What it Takes to Protect Our Voting Rights!

Statement by Saundra Cole, President of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding votes in the U.S Senate this week on sidelining the filibuster and passing the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

“Senate Democrats have the power this week to protect our right to vote by passing the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

“Doing so will restore key protections of the Voting Rights Act, strengthen vote-by-mail, defend our right to have our vote counted and preserve our democracy.

“Seniors realize the gravity of this situation. That is why we are calling on Sen. Kyrsten Sinema publicly to do the right thing: sideline the filibuster and pass this critical legislation NOW.

“Arizona retirees are deeply disappointed that the filibuster, a Jim Crow era procedural tool, is blocking senators from taking action.

“Retirees in particular have worked long and hard to preserve the fundamental right to vote. We were there for the battle for civil rights in the 1960’s, we fought for them, and we’re fighting for them again. This battle is about racial justice, justice for seniors, and more.

“No one should have to face unnecessary barriers when casting their ballot. Yet many state legislatures have passed laws aimed at suppressing the vote before the midterm elections.

“If ever there were a need to sideline the filibuster and preserve our democracy, this is it.”

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Contact: Dora Vasquez, retirees@azaflcio.org