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Activists warn top Democrats: 'Conventional politics WILL NOT get us out of this mess' [1]

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Date: 2022-06-28 00:00:00

The Rev. Dr. William Barber II called on Democratic leaders to come to terms with the reality of the situation, saying, “We are dealing with one side that is undermining the very essence of what it means to be a country that roots itself in this philosophy of equal protection under the law. You cannot battle that if folks on the other side are always moderating, modulating and compromising. It’s not the age we’re in.”

Black Voters Matter cofounder LaTosha Brown similarly expressed frustration, tweeting, “If Republicans are enacting extreme laws to take away our rights shouldn’t the Dems match that energy with extreme solutions?! I’ve dedicated my life to fight for voting rights but telling people to VOTE AGAIN is NOT ENOUGH! We need a radical response to a radical attack on us!” She continued, “Conventional politics WILL NOT get us out of this mess. Holding on to antiquated political tools like the filibuster and traditional political approaches only makes us more vulnerable.

”How can our leaders allow others to inflict pain on us BUT refuse to inflict political pain on the Republicans?” she concluded her short thread. “There are NO real consequences directed towards the Republicans for their actions so why would they not continue to grab and abuse power?”

The Democratic Party and social movement groups are different organizations with different goals, but when key movement organizers are sounding this kind of warning, party leaders should be listening.

Some Democratic lawmakers and many activists are offering ideas for the fight, ranging from ambitious ones like putting abortion clinics on federal land to very simple ones like telling people exactly which elections are most important this fall.

Here’s Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez offering a broad swath of possibilities:

x - Restrain judicial review

- Expand the court

- Clinics on federal lands

- Expand education and access to Plan C

- Repeal Hyde

- Hold floor votes codifying Griswold, Obergefell, Lawrence, Loving, etc

- Vote on Escobar’s bill protecting clinics



We can do it!

We can at least TRY — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 26, 2022

And here’s Warren simply getting specific about Senate races that could make a difference:

x Sen. Elizabeth Warren on ABC: "We get two more senators on the Democratic side ... willing to protect access to abortion and get rid of the filibuster ... And, yes, John Fetterman, I’m looking at you in Pennsylvania. Mandela Barnes, I’m looking at you in Wisconsin." — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 27, 2022

AOC has spoken out in that vein:

x Dem leaders must tell voters the plan:



What’s the *actual* need? Which specific seats are we focused on? WHAT votes do we need & WHERE (what states + races?)



And, what’s the return? What is Biden/Congress ACTUALLY willing+able to do at 52/60 seats?



Be honest. Details motivate — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 25, 2022

Here’s Rep. Ayanna Pressley:

x Abolish the filibuster & pass WHPA.

Declare a public health emergency.

Establish state abortion havens.

Expand the Court.



Lives are on the line & we must use every tool to address this crisis. pic.twitter.com/cDXEhdZK9M — Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) June 25, 2022

Democratic leaders don’t need to pretend they can do more than they can in the next few months. That would be lying. But if our leaders don’t embrace the need to fight, why would voters?

RELATED STORIES:

Supreme Court races could be the key to protecting abortion rights in several states

Republicans are getting what they wanted on abortion. The suffering will be immense

Joe Sudbay returns to geek out with Kerry Eleveld and Cara Zelaya on the Democratic Party must do, what they are doing, and what they aren’t doing on Daily Kos' The Brief podcast

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