Gareth Fenley on Georgia Politics

Gareth Fenley, who works as a Coordinator for the Economic
Justice Coalition and the Georgia Coalition for the People's
Agenda, drops by to talk about voter engagement in the state of
Georgia. Recall that Georgia became the center of attention
during the past election cycle. The state turned from red to
blue, as they elected a Democrat for the White House and shifted
the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.


Much of this shift in political direction is the result of record
turnout among minority groups in the state. These groups
persevered through an environment that was designed to suppress
their vote. The stunning success of minorities in this past
election was based on the work of individual people, working
through volunteer organizations to overcome difficulties and get
out the vote. Does this mean that the fight for voting rights is
over? Unfortunately, no. Far from it. The process of voter
suppression continues, and in the wake of the 2020 election, many
state legislatures are actively trying to change the rules to
reassert mechanisms of voter suppression. So the work of
organizations such as the Economic Justice Coalition and the
Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda remains critically
important in preserving our democracy.


Gareth shares some of the lessons she’s learned during the 40+
years of advocating for voting rights, especially throughout the
American South. She is an expert on organizing people at the
ground level toward making a positive change in our democracy.