Thread by @SameenaKluck

I’m at the #HungerStrike4Democracy rally in Lafayette Park this morning outside the White House. Students from AZ, TX, FL, NC. Press conference starting in a few minutes. #votingrights

Omg! @JoeMadison16S is here! He’s on Day 36 of his hunger strike for #votingrights. #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

.@JoeMadison16S notes that the filibuster was used to keep slavery in place, to Stop voting rights act, to try to stop civil rights act. “They have carved out the filibuster 160 times since 1969.” #HungerStrike4Democracy #HungerStrike #FreedomToVoteAct

Now @JoeMadison16S praising the hunger-striking students: “You are John Lewis.
You are Rosa Parks.”
#HungerStrike4Democracy #hungerstrike #VotingRightsAct #racialjustice

Now @JoeMadison16S quotes a former @HowardUniv political science professor who said “you show up at demonstrations and people drive away & leave that moment. But what you have to do is start a movement.” #VotingRights #FreedomToVoteAct #HungerStrike4Democracy

“What’s difference of a moment & movement?
All Movements require sacrifice. Whether you’re out here 8 days or 36 days, hold out as long as you can.
People before you sacrificed more than a Ham sandwich or food to gain the right to vote.” - @JoeMadison16S #HungerStrike4Democracy

History lesson from @JoeMadison16S: “What is first thing the South did when Congress agreed to remove federal troops after Reconstruction? Removed the vote from Black Americans.” #ourhistory #votingrights #HungerStrike4Democracy

Now @JoeMadison16S is making clear what we’re dealing with: “This isn’t Jim Crow. What we’re dealing with today is a more sophisticated cousin-James Crow Esquire.”
#HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

“Things just don’t happen-you have to make them happen.” - @JoeMadison16S to students on Day 8 of a hunger strike #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

Now Wanda Moseley field director for @BlackVotersMtr speaking to the crowd and directly to @POTUS on urgency of passing #FreedomToVoteAct. #HungerStrike4Democracy #VotingRights

Mosley: “As a candidate Joe Biden agreed to fight like hell for voting Rights. When will you do that? Your speeches, platitudes and promises are empty. You haven’t come out and said federal legislation is needed to protect our most sacred right for citizens of this country.”

“We’ve seen you fight like hell @POTUS to pass Covid relief and Build Back Better.
We appreciate that.
But none of that will matter if we don’t have the right to vote because states can take that from us.” - Wanda Mosley @BlackVotersMtr. #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVote

Mosley reminding @POTUS of how much voting delivered the current situation:
“Your candidacy was saved by black voters in SC.
Sen Schumer carries the title of majority leader bec of black voters in GA. We came out in a pandemic to vote.” #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

Mosley again demands action from @POTUS: “When will you exert the power and influence of the highest office in land to ensure your own citizens have right to vote??” #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

“@POTUS you have 21 examples right here of what courage looks like. This is 21 examples of what it looks like to fight like hell.” #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

Here’s striking @ASU students, some on their 8th day without food to protest inaction on the #FreedomToVoteAct. #hungerstrike4democracy

Why two of the students felt compelled to strike. #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

Army veteran @armyofnaveed urges Congress & @POTUS to take action for disabled veterans whose voting rights are under attack:
"They sacrificed for our democracy.
Don't they deserve the right to vote?"
#HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

"The freedom to vote is an American value.
Republicans & Democrats have come together before to protect it.
This is not a partisan issue." -- @ArmyofNaveed
#HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

"As a veteran I stand with these students.
@POTUS--use the power of your office before it’s too late.
January may be too late to pass #FreedomToVoteAct.
Already legislation in TX and other states are being put in place to restrict voting rights." #HungerStrike4Democracy

1st #HungerStrike4Democracy speaker: “Protecting our voting rights is not a partisan issue! It is a NECESSITY!” #FreedomToVoteAct

"We have endured extremely uncomfortable pain & travelled across the country to @POTUS's front door because we would rather endure this pain than endure the horrific consequences of inheriting a dysfunctional democracy."
- #HungerStrike4Democracy speaker re: #FreedomToVoteAct

On Day 8 of her hunger strike, student Emma spoke about the threat to democracy if #FreedomToVoteAct is not passed in 2021. #HungerStrike4Democracy #votingrights

.@MadisonSiriusXM recalls how in mid-1980s, the @NAACP walked the Underground Railroad from DC to NY, registering voters along the way.
He noted how in Wilmington then-Senator Joe Biden showed up to register people to vote.

"Now he needs to show up to protect that vote!"

"The time is now.
The matter is urgent.
We cannot delay.
We need you to fight like hell Mr. President!" --
@wmosley23 #HungerStrike4Democracy #FreedomToVoteAct

Finishing up, @wmosley23 says she has an example for @POTUS of what fighting like hell means--she lists the name of every student on a hunger strike to urge passage of #FreedomToVoteAct. #HungerStrike4Democracy #votingrights