[Voter Suppression]
Civil Rights group condemns new Florida law targeting Blacks who were previously incarcerated with new economic hurdles…
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Civil Rights lawyer Kristen Clarke says Florida Governor DeSantis’ signing of SB7066 will deny voting opportunities to over 1 million Blacks and Latinos…
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued a statement after Governor DeSantis Friday signed SB 7066 into law on Friday–which undermines Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution.
Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement:
“Florida joins a host of states actively working to suppress the rights of voters on the eve of the 2020 election cycle. This bill runs contrary to the will of more than 5 million voters in Florida who supported Amendment 4 this past November. The bill will undoubtedly lock out vast numbers of American citizens who will remain disenfranchised merely because of their inability to pay fines and fees. History will not reflect well on these obstructionist efforts to leave citizens voiceless and disenfranchised.”
Clarke continued: “This is nothing short of a modern day poll tax. Governor DeSantis has chosen to sign legislation that will deny voting opportunities for over 1 million American citizens, particularly poor Black and Latino voters, across the state.”
Amendment 4 would restore voting rights those with felony convictions who are no longer incarcerated and have complete parole or probation. It excludes those with murder or sexual offense convictions. In an attempt to undermine access to the ballot for the 1.4 million people who would have their voting rights restored, the new Florida law, signed by Governor DeSantis, requires that returning citizens pay additional fines and fees beyond that included in the Amendment.
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 56th year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is continuing its quest to “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes. For more info logon to: www.lawyerscommittee.org
