Heather Mizeur

We are a rainbow coalition of social justice advocates pressing for fairness, equality and opportunity for all of our neighbors. The architecture for this new movement was sketched in Maryland's successful efforts to pass marriage equality and theDream Act, which allows some undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition at state colleges and... universities. Our campaigns were waged arm-in-arm with the labor movement, progressive faith leaders, the NAACP, and the LGBT and Latino communities united in purpose and mission. The coalition then successfully defended these wins in a popular vote at the ballot box last November. We knew that to win in 2012 would pave the way for future victories like a repeal of the death penalty and common sense gun safety measures. The movements toward marriage equality and humane treatment of immigrants were immeasurably strengthened when they came to be seen as part of the broader cause of civil rights. Now the LGBT and immigrant communities must remain engaged in that struggle and fight against encroachments on the guarantee of equal voting rights, one of the signature achievements of the civil rights movement. We must not only work to defend access to the ballot in any state threatening minority participation but also to advance voting rights where opportunities exist to showcase our ability to make positive change. We can build on Maryland's successful early voting efforts by expanding to additional locations and making them more accessible. We should allow same day registration on election day to further encourage participation. We can ensure that our state and federal legislative districts are drawn fairly and independently and that Annapolis operates with complete transparency. As we ensure that everyone has a chance to be heard and feels represented, we will benefit from more voices as we address the biggest challenges ahead of us. How do we enable the private sector to promote growth while still protecting the rights of our workers? How do we ensure that Maryland's ...Read More