Exciting Updates on the Racial Justice Campaign

The Reform Movement's Racial Justice Campaign continues to be a central part in combatting the daily oppression and dehumanization of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) individuals that is rooted in the 400-year history of systemic racism embedded in every corner of North America.

The Reform Movement's racial justice work, which deepened during the civil rights movement with the creation of the RAC, continues today with the Reform Movement's commitment to demand racially just policies in the U.S. and Canada.

Over the summer, the RAC organized 47 lobbying meetings with nearly 5,000 constituent participants from 22 different states to call on the U.S. Senate to protect the freedom to vote! We are continuing to pressure the Senate to pass legislation and welcome the introduction of the Freedom to Vote Act, the successor to the For the People Act (S. 1). The Freedom to Vote Act is a broad bill that will establish national standards for federal elections, make Election Day a federal holiday, and create a transparent process that all Americans can trust. While we are proud of our first national campaign and pleased the Senate remains focused on passing legislation protecting and advancing the right to vote, our work is far from over.

Over the past month, the filibuster blocked the Senate from beginning debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. We remain committed to push the Senate to reform the filibuster and hold President Biden to his word on reforming the filibuster. Filibuster reform has the potential to achieve a proper balance between majority and minority rights in the Senate and offers the best path forward for American democracy to address the interests of all Americans. The Reform Movement must continue to make our voices heard and ensure that voter registration and voting options are equally accessible across the U.S.

TAKE ACTION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO ENSURE THE FREEDOM TO VOTE:

• Call your Senators and President Biden
  • Fill out the Individual Commitment Form or Congregation Commitment Form for our Call-In Week to mobilize your networks and ensure the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
  • Attend the RAC’s optional Call-In Office hours November 8th-11th from 1-2pm ET to receive guidance from one of our staff members on how to make calls to your Senators and President Biden and tell them to pass just voting rights legislation.
  • View a recording of our Heeding the Call Virtual Gathering to listen to a panel of speakers discussing the importance in the freedom to vote, and a full description on how you can get involved in the RAC’s Freedom to Vote Campaign
  • View a clip of a Mock-Call to a Senator to hear a sample script you can use, as well as some helpful tips on how to make your call go smoothly.
  • Use our RAC Training Guide Worksheet for tips on how to organize congregational turnout
  • Refer to our Freedom to Vote Backgrounder for updates and more information on the freedom to vote legislation.
  • Review and fill out our Call-In Action Alert and Script form to receive phone numbers, and sample script and talking points. Help us prove to legislatures how many people support the freedom to vote for all!
• Write your members of Congress
  • Urge you Senators to support the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747) and make the promise of democracy free for us all
  • Urge Congress to support the John Lewis Voting Right Advancement Act (H. R. 4)
• Share your support for voting rights and racial justice on social media with the Racial Justice Campaign social media toolkit

In the state level, we celebrate RAC-NY's recent victory in helping to pass the Less is More Act on Friday, September 17 ^th. This transformative bill will restrict the use of incarceration for non-criminal parole violations, bolster due process in parole hearings, and incentivize and support community reentry. This is just the latest victory by our state-based affiliates and if you are located in a RAC state, we need you to join our state advocacy campaigns. Success at the state level is critical in building a more just, compassionate, and whole world.

TAKE ACTION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AT THE STATE LEVEL WITH RAC STATE PROJECTS

• Read more about the work of RAC-TX, RAC-IL, RAC-NY, and RAC-NJ to achieve just legislation from immigration justice to parole reform
• Get involved with RAC OH's campaign to abolish the Death Penalty in Ohio
• Get involved with RAC-NJ’s Democracy in a Day Campaign to make New Jersey the 21st state to adopt same day voter registration
• Act with RAC-CA's three campaigns focused on criminal justice, garment worker protection, and climate justice

The Reform Movement has also implemented a Racial Equity and Diversity Initiative (REDI) to take action within our communities and beyond and strengthen the collective power of the Jewish community in antiracist work.

• Join us for our next Jews of Color and People of Color in the Reform Movement Affinity Gatherings

Learn more about the Racial Justice Campaign and subscribe to our Racial Justice Campaign email list to be the first to know about updates and receive the social media toolkit.