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Thinking over the moments that motivated me this year & how powerfully & clearly this country revealed itself. It was confirmation of all I have known, but I also learned so much more. The clarity with which I see the challenges we face has strengthened my resolve beyond measure.
It started with one of the best days ever. My journey with the #USPS this year has been kind of “how it started...how it’s going.” First, the unveiling of the #GwenIfillForever stamp in January. So grateful for this honor from the @USPS.
By November we were in a pitched battle w/the #USPS to ensure that absentee ballots were delivered on time after new postal leadership imposed measures that resulted in delivery delays in major cities. https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/sherrilyn-ifill-on-usps-ballot-delays-we-re-still-fighting-get-every-ballot-delivered-95351365524
And then Selma. #JohnLewis summoning his strength to give us our orders: “vote like never before.” https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/03/01/john-lewis-returns-to-selma-anniversary-nr-vpx.cnn
It was in Selma outside Brown Chapel AME Church that Rev. Barber & I first discussed an election protection collaboration betw @UniteThePoor & @NAACP_LDF for the Nov. election. Our work together proved to be critical to LDF’s Voting Rights Defender Project led by @JByrd_DC.
I have said that I was shaken to my core by the Wisconsin primary the first week of April. I wrote this piece & vowed that we would do everything possible to provide access to absentee voting for Black ppl in the Nov. election. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/04/never-forget-wisconsin.html
Our amazing team of litigators led by Leah Aden, @natashacmerle, @RossDeuel, #CatherineMeza & many others were in hand-to-hand combat in the federal cts demanding expanded absentee voting access; working to restore voting for returning citizens;challenging voter suppression. #LDF
There were @NAACP_LDF cases that received little natl attention but were some of the most consequential to us - like litigating our deseg cases to force the resumption of school lunch & targeted instruction in the south when schools closed for COVID. https://www.al.com/news/2020/04/stopping-school-meals-violates-federal-desegregation-order-group-says.html
In D.C. we were fighting every day for meaningful COVID relief and sounding the alarm over evictions and water shut-offs. We appealed to Govs, Mayors, MOC. We tried to put info in the hands of those in the communities we serve. https://tminstituteldf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LDF_12102020_TMIForeclosureDecUpdate-8.pdf
But then....but then there was also the extraordinary resilience of people around the country, determined to fight for democracy, racial justice, decency. https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/philadelphia-early-voting-mail-ballots-satellite-elections-offices-20201026.html
The determination and optimism of our clients.
Our amazing, fierce, noble clients https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/black-teen-told-cut-his-locs-texas-school-wins-court-n1237095
Our long-standing, visionary clients. https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/ldf-celebrates-30th-anniversary-sheff-v-oneill-alongside-sheff-movement-coalition/
Our clients who make it plain. https://twitter.com/sifill_ldf/status/1311433682935328768
And the honor of working alongside our tenacious, brilliant staff. @NAACP_LDF
Their excellence and leadership. @NAACP_LDF
I love to see the deep respect our lawyers have for the communities of people we represent. @NAACP_LDF lawyers epitomize the best of civil rights lawyers.
I love the camaraderie we all share no matter how challenging the moment. @NAACP_LDF
And holding the foundation in sisterhood with a brilliant colleague, partner and friend @JNelsonLDF.
There was more than enough in this year to encourage me to fight on. That is, after all, what we do. Farewell 2020. Let’s get to work 2021. https://twitter.com/sifill_ldf/status/1311433682935328768
