Biden urges Americans to act to protect voting rights
In a speech in Philadelphia on Tuesday, President Biden urged action to guarantee the right to vote, calling it the “most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War.”
Video Transcript
- There's an unfolding assault taking place in America today. An attempt to suppress and subvert the right to vote and fair and free elections. An assault on democracy, an assault on Liberty, an assault on who we are. Who we are as Americans?
For make no mistake, bullies and merchants of fear peddlers of lies are threatening. The very foundation of our country gives me no pleasure to say this. I never thought my entire career I'd ever have to say it.
When I swore an oath to you, to God, to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. That's an oath that forms a sacred trust to defend America against all threats both foreign and domestic
The assault on free and fair elections is just such a threat literally. I've said it before. We're facing the most significance test of our democracy since the Civil War. That's not hyperbole. Since the Civil War.
The Confederates back then never breached the Capitol as insurrectionist did on January the 6th. I'm not saying this alarm you. I'm saying this because you should be alarmed.
I'm also saying this. There's good news. It doesn't have to be this way. It doesn't have to be for real.
We have the means. We just need the will. The will to save and strengthen our democracy. We didn't it-- we did it in 2020.
The battle for the soul of America. In that battle, the people voted. Democracy derailed. Our Constitution heal. We have to do it again.
My fellow Americans requires fair mindedness, devotion to justice, corny as it sounds love of country, requires us to unite in common purpose of the players. Here and now, we the people will never give up. We will not give in. We will overcome. We will do it together.
Guaranteeing the right to vote ensuring every vote is counted has always been the most patriotic thing we can do. Just remember, our late friend John Lewis said, "Freedom is not a state, it's an act. Freedom is not a state, it's an act." and we must act and we will act for our cause is just our vision is clear, and our hearts are full.
Well, we the people for democracy, for America itself. We must act. God bless you all and may God protect our troops and all those who stand watch over our democracy. But act. We've got to act.
