James Carroll: Voter Turnout Call to Action
Channel: Writers for Democratic Action
Date: 20/10/2021

JAMES CARROLL: RESIST & WIN 
"I’m standing here, calmly. But I need to tell you - our country is on fire! All over America, Republican arsonists are setting fire to our democracy. Blatant voter suppression. A new census gerrymandered. Legislation aimed at undercutting the right to vote, especially of Black and Brown citizens. The fire rages. How to put it out? Simple. Extinguish voter suppression with a massive and overwhelming voter turn-out; a tidal-wave of voters at every contest - local to national; this year, next year, the year after. But this rescue of our democracy must begin now: registration drives; postcards; phone banks; fundraising for voter turn-out movements everywhere. As the great Florynce Kennedy said, “Don’t agonize! Organize!” We must do this together. Organize the vote! To resist, yes. But also - to win! Thank you. Peace."


As this year’s November election draws near, our season of voter-suppression resistance begins in earnest. We must do all we can to overwhelm Republican voter suppression with massive voter turnout. Between now and November 2nd, we hope that you will join us in this urgent new campaign by creating a one-minute video and sending it out through your own connections on social media. We envision dozens, even hundreds, of short videos calling for the protection of the right to vote, blanketing the virtual realm.

Here are some points you might make:
 
- The Republicans are launching a systematic assault on the right to vote through a range of new laws at the state level, all designed to make it harder for folks to vote, a strategy that disproportionally impacts poor and minority voters.

- Republican-dominated state legislatures are engaged in unprecedented gerrymandering, a violation of the integrity of the new census.

- In many pivotal states, campaigns to protect the vote - and increase it - are underway, and need support. You might check the state of play in your state.

- Emphasize that voter protection strategies (registration drives, canvassing, postcards, etc) must begin now.

- Determine what voter turn-out movements are at work in your state, and support them financially through donations or fundraising.

If you choose to make a one-minute video, please share it on social media and tag @WritersforDA. And for accessibility, we recommend adding captions and posting your statement text.

Thank you, and in solidarity,

Writers for Democratic Action Steering Committee:
Paul Auster, Sophie Auster, Peter Balakian, Jericho Brown, James Carroll, Robin Davidson, Rachel DeWoskin, Carolyn Forché, Todd Gitlin, Siri Hustvedt, Mitchell Kaplan, Jules Lattimer, Askold Melnyczuk, Jill McCorkle, Tara Skurtu, Natasha Trethewey