Official Press Statement from the Detroit Branch NAACP: The Supreme Court, a Supreme Over-Reach

DETROIT, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today's ruling by the United States Supreme Court to eliminate section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, thus negating section 5, is an example of an outrageous misfortune for the people of our Nation.

While this 5 to 4 ruling places the future of the Voting Rights Act and its enforcement in the hands of a congress that is dysfunctional, intransigent, and often engaged in political stagnation it is indeed a betrayal of the fundamental voting rights of every American.  African Americans, Latinos and other minorities are still the victims of severe misuse of voting ID laws.  Early voting restrictions, even in the 2012 elections, demonstrate very clearly the need for monitoring and enforcement of state and local communities who violate the rights of the people. 

The South has made some efforts to join the 21^st century but many states, as well as certain communities in the states of Michigan and Ohio, are seeking to turn back the progress that has been made over the last 50 years.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said "our tragedy is not in the strident clamor of the bad people but the appalling silence of the good people".  We must not be silent when it comes to our right to vote.  This is why we held the 50^th Anniversary commemorating Dr. Kings Walk to Freedom.  It was not just a commemoration.  It clearly demonstrates the need for a continuation of this most important work.

For those who believe we will not advocate, stimulate, and continue to direct our people to the voting booth, you are indeed very wrong.  We call upon all people who believe in the right to vote and a fair and open process to stand with us.  We must insist that the Congress preserves the right to vote for all people and for future generations. 

In the words of Thomas Jefferson "when the people fear the government there is tyranny.  When the government fears the people, there is liberty".  Let the government hear our voices, hear our concerns, and fear our presence at the voting booth, particularly if those in Congress fight against the will of the people they were elected to serve.   

SOURCE Detroit Branch NAACP

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