Tweet

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

More from @RepValDemings

Rep. Val Demings

@RepValDemings

2 Nov

100 years ago today, Moses Norman, a Black man in Ocoee, Florida, tried to vote.

This challenge to the racial order caused a white mob to lynch voting rights activist July Perry, and with further violence to murder or eventually drive out every other Black resident in the town.

Those who attempted to return faced threats or overt acts of violence, including “dynamite thrown into their homes.”

Their property was seized and sold. One local official, a confederate veteran who had fought to preserve slavery, took ownership of some.

“SPECIAL BARGAINS: Several beautiful little groves belonging to the Negroes that just left Ocoee,” read his advertisement.

Those who excuse today’s inequalities without recognizing our nation’s history of theft and racial violence do a disservice to the truth.

Read 6 tweets

Rep. Val Demings

@RepValDemings

11 Sep

I have introduced legislation to prohibit states from denying voting rights to American citizens, regardless of prior criminal convictions.

Every American should have the right and the responsibility to participate in our democracy.
demings.house.gov/media/press-re…

I enforced the law for nearly three decades. Anyone who commits a crime should be held accountable.

But committing a crime does not remove your humanity and it should not silence your voice.

A debt to society must be paid, but that debt should never include our right to vote.

Efforts to exclude these Americans from voting—either directly or through convoluted poll tax schemes—go against our fundamental principle that our government must be answerable to the people.

A criminal conviction does not erase a person from our communities or our country.

Read 4 tweets

Rep. Val Demings

@RepValDemings

18 Jul

I woke up this morning to the sad, sad news of the passing of my friend and colleague, Mr. John Lewis.

Every time I would see him, I would say, "Hello Mr. John Lewis." He would respond, "please call me John." And I would say, "okay, Mr. John Lewis." We would both laugh.

I was in awe in the ‘60s and am still in awe today of the man who was larger than life. Mr. John Lewis was strong as a lion, yet gentle as dove. He loved America and was willing to work hard and sacrifice to make it a better place.

In the dark and difficult days, he reminded us to protect our inner light, maintain our hope and our spirit; that only despair can impede the cause of justice.

Read 6 tweets

Rep. Val Demings

@RepValDemings

12 Jun

49 lost friends. 53 carrying wounds temporary or permanent. Four years after #Pulse, I remain assured that '#OrlandoStrong' was never just a slogan. It was a promise.

We promised to support each other, to love each other, and to never forget those we lost, nor those who are still with us.

I am inspired by the passion of the advocates who have turned tragedy into action; who saw the tragedy of Parkland and said "I know what you've been through, and I can help." #HonorThemWithAction

Read 7 tweets

Rep. Val Demings

@RepValDemings

26 Mar

The Senate has now passed historic COVID-19 relief.

Democrats fought to ensure that this relief would put workers first, and I’m glad to report that the majority of the relief is going to workers, small businesses, hospitals, and local governments. Here is what's in it (thread):

Our first priority has to be getting this pandemic under control as quickly as possible.

The legislation will inject $200 billion into our health care system, filling critical shortages for hospitals, medical equipment, and keeping our front-line health care workers safe.

To ensure that local governments have the resources to obtain critical safety equipment and fund the response effort, the bill will send an additional $150 billion to state and local governments.

Read 8 tweets

Rep. Val Demings

@RepValDemings

24 Mar

Thread with important #COVID19/#coronavirus resources:

Orange County Residents: If you need rental assistance, the Crisis Assistance Hotline operates from 8:30 am – 11:30 am and 1 pm – 3pm Monday through Friday. The number is 407-836-6500.

Central Floridians: if you need financial help, healthcare, or are in crisis, please call the free Heart of Florida United Way’s hotline. It is available 24/7 at 211 or by texting your zip code to 898-211.

Read 5 tweets

Share this page!

Rep. Val Demings

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

More from @RepValDemings

Rep. Val Demings

Rep. Val Demings

Rep. Val Demings

Rep. Val Demings

Rep. Val Demings

Rep. Val Demings

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Like this author's thread?