Statement

The manipulation of our democracy’s rules of decorum to silence the voices of Montanans is oppression, plain and simple.

04.27.2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Addie Bullock, abullock@bluestate.co

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Public Wise, an organization committed to fighting for a multiracial democracy that reflects the will and protects the rights of the people, released the following statement on the censure of Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr: 

“What Republicans are doing in the Montana state legislature is in direct violation of our democratic values. Banning Representative Zephyr from the floor silences the voices of the 11,000 Montanans who elected her to represent them. The manipulation of our democracy’s rules of decorum to silence the voices of Montanans is oppression, plain and simple. 

Just as we saw in Tennessee earlier this month, Republicans are making it clear that the relentless assault on the LGBTQ+ community is part of a larger campaign to restrict our fundamental freedoms, including the right to bodily autonomy, to love who we want, to be safe in our communities, and to make our voices heard at the ballot box. Republicans at every level of government have made it clear that they want to turn back the clock and rebuild a country that only works for the white and wealthy few. The abuse of Republican supermajorities in statehouses in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Montana is just the beginning. The battle of our democracy is just getting started and the fight is at the local level,” said Eli Szenes-Strauss, political director of Public Wise. 

 

About Public Wise 

Persistent and unyielding in our commitment to a just multiracial democracy, Public Wise fights to secure a government that reflects the will and protects the rights of the people. We accomplish this through education, research, organizing, funding, and partnerships that support more voting and more equitable representation.

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