Dear Voting Rights Advocates,

As the proud representative of Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, a district shaped by decades of struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance, I carry your legacy with me every single day. I have immense gratitude and deep respect for the work you have done—often in the shadows, but always on the front lines—to help secure and protect the sacred right to vote for all Americans.

I do not take for granted that the very district I represent, which includes Montgomery, the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, would not exist in its current form were it not for the tireless efforts of the organizations and individuals who stood up, marched forward, and fought back against injustice. 

We remember 1965’s "Bloody Sunday" not just as a day of brutality, but as a turning point. The horrifying images of more than 600 peaceful protestors violently attacked by state troopers that day were broadcast across the nation, prompting public outrage. Innocent Americans were beaten simply for marching, and that injustice ignited a nation. It forced our leaders to confront an uncomfortable truth: democracy was not yet real for everyone. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law as a direct response, but it was not just the heroism of the marchers that got us there; it was also the unwavering work of legal advocates, grassroots organizers, and civil rights groups who pushed this country toward its better self.

To those of you in advocacy organizations, whether long-established or newly formed, thank you. Thank you for knocking on doors, registering voters, educating communities, challenging unjust laws, and going to court when necessary. Thank you for never giving up, even when the tide seemed against us. You are the protectors of democracy, and your work has left an indelible mark on this country, you are not just advocates; you are torchbearers. You have kept the flame of democracy alive through some of our darkest chapters. And because of your work, our future can never be as dark as our past, because in those dark spaces will forever hang the light of progress made by your persistence to pursue equal rights for all. 

We know all too well how fragile progress can be. The path to justice has never been a straight line, and every step forward has been met with resistance. But each time the barriers return, so do you, steadfast and determined. And each time you show up, you carry the weight and memory of those who came before, ensuring their sacrifices were not in vain. 

I’m honored to serve in this seat, and I’m committed every day to fighting for fair access to the ballot and ensuring all voices are heard. As a public servant, I see my role as an extension of your mission. The laws I support, the policies I pursue, are all rooted in a promise to honor your work and protect the rights you have helped secure. There is still much to be done. Voter suppression takes many forms, from restrictive ID laws to direct attacks on the Voting Rights Act itself, which has been significantly weakened by the Supreme Court in recent years. These modern tactics, while not the overt violence of the past, still deliver damaging blows. Thanks to your continued vigilance, these attacks do not go unchallenged. And because of your dedication, voting rights are still being fought for, and as my presence in Congress illustrates, the fighting is not in vain or without reward.

Thank you for your resilience. Thank you for your vision, your courage, and for your efforts to preserve and strengthen the foundation upon which this democracy stands. 

May we continue together to carry the banner forward, unafraid and unwilling to accept anything less than full and equal justice for all.

In solidarity and gratitude,

Rep. Shomari C. Figures 
U.S. Representative
Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District