Protect the Voting Rights Act

CWA activists urge the Supreme Court to uphold Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

CWA activists joined labor and civil rights organizations in rallying outside the Supreme Court in support of the Voting Rights Act on Wednesday.

Inside, the justices were hearing oral arguments about Section 5 of the law, which demands that areas of the country with a history of racial discrimination must get permission from the Justice Department or a federal court before adopting any change in their voting rules. The deciding factor is whether or not those changes would negatively affect minorities.

Opponents say Section 5 is outdated. But with the continued bombardment of voter ID laws and other voter suppression tactics that threaten the rights of minority voters across the country, it is needed now more than ever.

CWA Locals 1032, 1040, 2201, and 3215 joined headquarters staff in shouting "No justice — no peace!" on the Supreme Court steps.

The Supreme Court is now deciding whether to uphold or strike down this provision of the act.