Two NAACP leaders were arrested in a sit-in for voter rights at the Virginia office of House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte.
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NAACP Youth and College Division Director Stephen Green was also arrested during the event, which called for the restoration of provisions removed from the Voting Rights Act.
The NAACP has been urging congressional action to restore federal protection against state laws barring ballot access in states with the worst histories of voter suppression and discrimination.
Goodlatte issued a statement saying he believes the Voting Rights Act remains strong.
About 20 activists, including Roanoke NAACP Chapter President Brenda Hale and members of the NAACP Youth Council, spent the day peacefully waiting for their voices to be heard inside Rep.
Be proactive – Use the “Flag as Inappropriate” link at the upper right corner of each comment to let us know of abusive posts. “This is not your grandfather’s voter suppression”. The protest marked the 51st anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the act into a law.
“We will continue to monitor this very important issue to ensure the voting rights of all Americans are protected”, he said. He has told police that he will not leave unless arrested or he receives a response from the congressman.
“While the Supreme Court struck down the old coverage formula that required certain states to preclear their voting rule changes with the federal government, the Court left in place other important tools in the Voting Rights Act”, he said.
Later Goodlatte’s office said the congressman respects the right of Americans to express their opinions, and noted it was the landlord, not the congressman’s staff who asked the group to leave the building.
An appeals court invalidated key parts of a North Carolina voting law, stating in a searing ruling that the law had been enacted with “discriminatory intent” and targeted African Americans “with nearly surgical precision”.
The Voting Rights Act is alive and well and protecting the freedom to vote.
Goodlatte added that he held hearings on the voting law shortly after the Supreme Court ruling and has had a number of discussions about it with the NAACP and other groups.
Green said the group meant to remain in the office until Goodlatte appeased their request for a hearing.
The sit-in that started before noon, ended when the office closed at 5 o’clock.
Brooks and Green were taken to a magistrate, charged and released.
But Brooks and Green declined to sign the summons, officials said.
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They were released a little while afterwards.
