Statement on the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act

In words offered at the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson remarked:

This act flows from a clear and simple wrong. Its only purpose is to right that wrong. Millions of Americans are denied the right to vote because of their color. This law will ensure them the right to vote. The wrong is one which no American, in his heart, can justify. The right is one which no American, true to our principles, can deny.

While the passage of the Federal Voting Rights Act was a watershed moment in the Civil Rights movement, it also catalyzed the opposition. Informal segregationist structures emerged, culminating in legal ideologies and political activities devoid of sound constitutional and philosophical reasoning.

In light of these realities, and in the very real efforts underway to undermine American democracy, we are surprised to see such inaction on the part of Rhode Island’s political leadership.

In his letter from Birmingham jail, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. noted:

I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate…the white moderate who is more devoted to “order” than to justice…who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.”

Justice delayed is justice denied, and we note the lack of diverse representation in the political decision-making process.

The good news is that the deadline for the end of Rhode Island’s legislative session is at the discretion of the legislature. Since law and policy permit the legislature's meeting beyond June 12th, we encourage leadership to reconsider their timeline and take up, with all urgency, this essential work.

As people of faith, we are called into the paradox of prophetic risk-taking, to be people who seek justice and love mercy, to be people who live and work in the world while keeping our eyes set on the world yet to come.

Grounded in love, we recommit ourselves to the work.

Jeremy M. Langill, Executive Minister

Governing Board of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches

Rev. Heather Bailes Baker, President

Mr. Roberto Rodriguez, Esq., Vice President

Rev. Charlie Ortman, Vice President

Rev. Dr. Russ Miller, Interim Treasurer

Dr. Laura Gabiger, Interim Recording Secretary

Mr. Randy Yorston, Media Secretary

Rev. Eugene Dyszlewski, Chief Social Justice Commissioner

Members at Large

Ms. Bridget Bennett, LICSW

Rev. T.J. DeMarco

Mr. Geoffrey Greene

Mr. Neal McNamara, Esq.

Rev. Sarah Reed Jay

Mr. Jorge Rico

Rev. Lauri Smalls

Rev. Scott Spencer