FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2020
CONTACT
Lindsay Kee, 615-320-7142
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In an effort to prevent voter intimidation, a group of Tennessee civil rights and civil liberties organizations sent a letter to Governor Bill Lee today urging him to issue a public statement guaranteeing the state’s protection of the voting process and Tennesseans’ safety during and following the election.
The letter was sent by the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, the American Muslim Advisory Council, the Tennessee State Conference of the NAACP, Tennessee Equality Project, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, and Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi.
The letter was sent in response to statements made by President Donald Trump that, according to the letter, “[raise] concerns about [the president’s] commitment to the sanctity of the vote” and “serve as a call to harassment … during and after the election.”
The letter calls on Governor Lee to deter voter intimidation by publicly acknowledging that voter intimidation is a crime and committing to hold anyone who engages in it accountable.
The group issued the following joint statement to accompany the letter:
“Our democracy is based on two fundamental principles – that the right to vote is sacred and that the outcome of free, fair elections must be respected. We hope that these ideals carry the day on November 3 and the days that follow. We urge Governor Lee to seize this opportunity to lead by making a strong public statement that deters any potential for voter intimidation and guarantees protection of the voting process and Tennesseans’ safety during and following the election. Our rights depend on it.”
A copy of the letter sent today can be found at: https://aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Coalition_Lee_Letter_Final.pdf
