Yesterday, VICPP’s board president, Rev. Dr. Anthony Fludd, read our letter calling upon the Governor to restore voting rights to those who have served their time in a transparent and expedited fashion at a press conference highlighting the issue.
More than 400 people of faith signed our letter to the Governor, but we are holding it till next week with the hope of getting 1000 people to sign. Here’s what the letter says:
Dear Gov. Youngkin,
As people of faith of many traditions, we call upon you to clarify and expedite the process for restoring voting rights for those coming out of Virginia's prisons. Doing so builds on the following key faith values:
Hope: Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." People coming out of prison need hope and a future. Most are eager to vote. You have the power to offer hope by creating a clear and expedited process for restoring people's rights to vote.
Restoration: II Corinthians 13:11 says, "Strive for full restoration, encouraging one another, be of one mind, live in peace." People of faith believe in restoring people to wholeness -- allowing them to be full participants in society. You have the power to offer full restoration to all those coming out of prison by creating a clear and expedited process for restoring people's right to vote.
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Forgiveness: Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." And similarly, the Qur'an 42:43 reads, "Whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve." We believe in forgiveness, regardless of sin and regardless of conviction. The process of restoration of rights should show that people are forgiven and allowed to rejoin the community. Forgiveness should not be on a case-by-case basis. You can show that forgiveness by creating a clear and expedited process for restoring people's right to vote.
If you haven’t yet signed the letter, please sign it HERE. If you have, please forward this roundup to friends and encourage them to sign by April 20. If you’d rather write the Governor a personal letter, you can mail it to: Governor Youngkin, P.O. Box 1475, Richmond, VA 23218.
Kim Bobo |
