The fight for justice and equality has been the cornerstone of my career. It's why I became a lawyer -- and why, after I left public service, I worked with the support of President Obama to launch the NDRC. One of the most shameful aspects of gerrymandering is that it disproportionately hurts the voting power of communities of color. Like voter ID laws, and poll taxes before them, in many states rigged maps were clearly put in place to dilute the political power of people of color. Our struggle, then, is a civil rights struggle. If the NDRC is successful in undoing rigged maps, we'll be able to achieve a system in which everyone's vote counts. Sula, this is a seminal year for our work. Can I count on you to support the NDRC's plans to make our democracy more inclusive? A large component of our plans involves engaging with communities of color to ensure they are motivated and active to end gerrymandering in their states. Some of the most gerrymandered states -- like Texas and Ohio -- have a history of drawing maps that violate the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution. In 2018, President Obama and I campaigned with and engaged those communities who have been silenced in the past and helped them claim their rightful seat at the table in the next round of redistricting. And I’m proud that the NDRC has invested in the work of state-based groups focused on turning out voters and building long-term power in communities of color, including in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. This will continue to be an area of focus going forward. To achieve a fair and inclusive democracy, a democracy consistent with our founding documents, we need to fix gerrymandering. It's as simple as that. At the NDRC, we have a comprehensive strategy for the next two years, but as a grassroots organization, we rely on supporters like you to help us fund it. Will you chip in to help us make progress on one of the civil rights battles of our time? Thank you, Eric H. Holder, Jr. Chair, National Democratic Redistricting Committee
 Our team talks a lot about how issues are impacted by gerrymandering. We can draw a direct line between gerrymandered legislatures and policies that are out-of-step with voters' values. As President Obama said when he reached out this week, we have a chance to correct unfair maps and create districts that better reflect the will of the people. That's why we launched a plan to organize across the country to end gerrymandering. We know you're invested in the fight for fair maps. Now we want to hear what issues resonate with you, so we can get better connect you to opportunities to get involved. Sign up here for state-specific and issue-based action alerts. For example, we'll send you action alerts for local events and opportunities to make an impact on issues like health care or gun safety. And when redistricting begins, we'll let you know how you can hold legislators accountable -- just like we did last month in North Carolina when legislators there went through a redraw process. Join the AOTL Grassroots Advocacy Team to get custom action alerts. -- All On The Line ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Barack Obama Date: Tue, Dec 17, 2019 Subject: All On The Line As I look back at the past decade, I am proud of this grassroots movement for championing the issues that matter most. Any time progress was on the line -- securing health care for millions of Americans, combatting gun violence, confronting the threat of climate change, fighting for equality and justice -- you made your voices heard. Right now, with redistricting around the corner, we stand at the horizon of a critical time in our democracy. And I'm asking you once again to be a champion for change. Building the movement for fair maps is essential to protecting and expanding progress in the next decade. Will you donate to the All On The Line Community Organizing Fund?
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Back in 2011, politicians and insiders crafted a plan to manipulate voting maps and dilute the power of voters through partisan and racial gerrymandering. Too often, this contributes to a real disconnect between voters and their elected officials. We see it in Ohio, where gun violence prevention bills are stalled. We see it in Florida, where folks have been denied access to health care without Medicaid expansion. And we've seen it in states like Georgia, where the right to choose is under siege. In a democracy, power should rest with citizens, not with special interests. And in 2021, we have a chance to wrest that power back, correcting some of these unfair maps and creating districts that better reflect the will of the people. That's why All On The Line launched a plan to mobilize activists across the country to end gerrymandering. From training hundreds of volunteers through our Redistricting U gatherings to activating voters to contact their elected officials, the fight for fair maps -- and the grassroots organizing needed to win the fight -- has already begun. Our ability to make progress will always be rooted in our commitment to organizing. As we head into the new year and the next decade, I hope you'll do your part to help strengthen the foundation for this movement.
Thank you for your support, Barack Obama All On The Line is the grassroots advocacy campaign supported by the National Redistricting Action Fund.
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