Friends,

As a lawyer and president of the Georgia NAACP state chapter, I have witnessed brutal legislative battles where vulnerable communities face relentless attacks from a General Assembly controlled by extremists.

If unchallenged, they will reconvene in 2017 with renewed plans to pass laws to make the rich richer, drive working Georgians into poverty, and advance an immoral political and economic agenda.

I am hopeful, however, because of the “Higher Ground Moral Declaration” and Moral MondayGeorgia platform, which boldly responds to the needs of our time.

The “Higher Ground Moral Declaration” holds political candidates and Governors accountable by ensuring voting rights for people of color and the poor; pushing for an increase in the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 an hour; encourages the expansion of medicaid to poor and working class people through the Affordable Care Act; supports education access and criminal justice reform; and protects the rights of the LGBTQ community, amongst other moral issues. This is the movement Georgia needs and we need your help to build it out.

Join me in telling Governor Deal and extremist legislators holding back progress, that it’s time to advance a moral agenda in Georgia. Click here to add your name to our petition to the Governor, and 2016 legislative and presidential candidates.

Our goal is 100,000 signatures before the general election.

In September, we will lead direct actions in Atlanta demanding that this moral agenda be advanced in our fight for the political and economic liberation of our most vulnerable communities.

Without a moral revival, too many Georgians, including those who will benefit most from change, will just stay home and not vote. Too many hard working people have become disillusioned and feel voting will not improve their lives, and many are uninspired by the candidates. I am proud of the moral movement in Georgia because it is the change our people want to see, and lifts up the dreams many of us have for our state.

Click here to add your name to the “Higher Ground Moral Declaration” and advance a moral political and economic agenda that uplifts people of color, the poor, and other vulnerable Georgians.

Change doesn’t come overnight, nor from one press cycle or legislative session. If we are going to transform the political landscape in Georgia, we must continue working on a bold, persistent, consistent, disciplined, and values-based agenda of change.

In solidarity, Rev. Dr. Francys Johnson
President, Georgia NAACP