FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2022
CONTACT: Heather Cabral, hcabral@faithinaction.org, 202-550-6880
Mayra Castro, mcastro@faithinaction.com, 562-841-4377
“The right to vote is sacred and that sacredness is being threatened.” – Rev. Alvin Herring
WASHINGTON — Today, Sen. Krysten Sinema reaffirmed that she will not support any changes to the filibuster rules, thwarting efforts on voting rights. Leaders with Faith in Action, a national, grassroots civil rights organization that organized thousands of BIPOC voters in 2020, released the following statements:
Rev. Alvin Herring, executive director of Faith in Action: “Krysten Sinema’s decision to not support changes to the filibuster will be remembered by her constituents when her seat is up for reelection. She is standing in the way of democracy, and forgetting about all those who cast a ballot, who stood in line during a pandemic and trusted her with their votes. Sen. Sinema and all others who oppose these changes are not proponents of democracy, but instead proponents of their own greed and power. The right to vote is sacred and that sacredness is being threatened. In a democracy and in the Kingdom of God every vote counts because every person counts.”
Republican lawmakers have enacted 34 new laws across 19 states that significantly restrict voting rights for their constituents. Faith in Action is urging the senate to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and Freedom to Vote Act. James 2:26 says faith without works is dead; this is at the crux of Faith in Action’s mission.
Alicia Contreras, executive director, CORAZÓN: “Senator Kristen Sinema’s decision to not support changing the filibuster will significantly impact the lives of her constituents here in Arizona, many who tirelessly worked to get her elected with the promise that she would represent their best interests. By not supporting changes to the filibuster, she is neglecting the urgency our communities have to make the changes needed in Arizona. Sen. Sinema has demonstrated time and time again that she is more inclined to prioritize her political standing, rather than to serve Arizona’s communities and their needs.”
CORAZÓN has worked diligently the past year to get meetings with Sinema to discuss economic equity, COVID equity, and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people and more with no success.
Faith in Action is currently holding a daily prayer vigil for all those who have been impacted by oppressive voting laws from 12:00 – 12:15 p.m. ET, beginning Thursday, Jan. 13 until Tuesday, Jan. 18, featuring both organizers and clergy active in the fight for voting rights. The daily vigil will be broadcast live on Faith in Action’s Facebook.
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Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information, visit www.faithinaction.org.
Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
