ROC Action responds to MI ruling that bans paid transportation to polls

In response to a ruling that bans most paid transportation of voters to the polls in Michigan, Dr. Alicia Renee Farris, state director of Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) Michigan and COO of ROC Action, which recently launched the #ROCMIVote voter transportation campaign, issued the following statement:

“This is a blatant and frankly offensive attempt to suppress people’s votes in the dead of night in the final days of voting. Every day, ROC Michigan works with communities of color and working communities. We know that these communities have the most at stake in this election and also the most obstacles to voting, and both of these election stakes and obstacles have been compounded by COVID-19. 

“That’s why we joined with a coalition of organizations to launch a voter transportation campaign, to empower all members of our community to make their voices heard at the polls in a safe and accessible manner. No one should be stripped of their fundamental rights by lack of access to reliable transportation, a busy work schedule, or steps to avoid exposure during a pandemic. Voting is both the most basic right in a democracy and the most valuable. That’s why some in Michiganare trying to suppress our votes, because they know how valuable and powerful each vote can be. 

“We will not be deterred. We will continue to fight against this ruling for every eligible person to have access and feel empowered to vote. We will continue to encourage everyone, especially people of color, to refuse to have their voices silenced. Anyone can go to a clerk’s office right now and vote. Make a plan to vote before November 3. When we lift our voices and our votes together, we can make the world more like the one our communities and our families deserve.”