#USA #Atlanta #People's Agenda #Voting Rights Act #John R. Lewis

The People's Agenda Urges Legislation Revival on Voting Rights Anniversary

On August 6, 2025, the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda marked the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) with a fervent plea to Congress, urging the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Led by executive director Helen Butler, the coalition emphasized that the Act is essential to restore protections that safeguard voters from discriminatory practices including improper voter purges and racially biased district maps.

Butler stated, "For six decades, the Voting Rights Act has symbolized our commitment to protecting the right to vote. Yet, in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby v. Holder that weakened key provisions, we have witnessed a worrisome regression in voting rights. The urgent need for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act cannot be overstated."

In Georgia, the urgency is palpable. The Secretary of State is undertaking one of the largest voter roll purges in the state's history, removing nearly 500,000 registered voters, which represents around 6% of the electorate. This measure is expected to hit voters in diverse metro Atlanta counties, such as Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and DeKalb, the demographic makeup of which is crucial to the state’s electoral landscape. Butler underscored the dire need for federal oversight through the John Lewis Act to combat the threat this presents.

However, Georgia's struggle is not an isolated case. The U.S. Supreme Court recently indicated potential support for the dismantling of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which plays a critical role in preventing racial gerrymandering. In the Louisiana v. Callais case, the court is examining whether the creation of majority-Black districts to fulfill Section 2 requirements might be unconstitutional, a development that could reverse decades of hard-won progress. Butler commented, "A decision to weaken or eliminate Section 2 would be catastrophic, reflecting ongoing conspiracies to dilute Black and Brown voices through exclusionary practices."

Butler, a pioneer as one of the first Black students to enter the University of Georgia, expressed disbelief at the current fight for rights that her predecessors fiercely battled for. The People’s Agenda was founded by Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Congress member John Lewis. For Butler, this organization symbolizes the ongoing fight to uphold the civil and voting rights for which those leaders dedicated their lives. As the organization continues to challenge voter suppression tactics, Butler highlighted the need to uphold the legacy of civil rights activists and champion democracy for future generations.

Addressing lawmakers, Butler made a poignant appeal: "Our ancestors endured unimaginable hardships so that we could claim our right to vote through the original Voting Rights Act. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act isn’t merely legislation; it’s a moral imperative reflecting our commitment to democracy. Sixty years after the original VRA was enacted, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where courage and action are required from Congress to protect voter rights and honor the legacy of those who sacrificed for equality."

The Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda is a non-profit organization dedicated to continuous voter registration, education, and mobilization efforts throughout Black and underserved communities in Georgia. Its ongoing work underscores the importance of preserving and expanding voting rights in a continually evolving political landscape.