Chelsea Clinton delivered a clear message to all those watching “Stand for Rights: A Benefit for the ACLU” on Friday night: she’s not giving up and we shouldn’t either.
Introduced as the “alternate universe current first daughter of the United States,” Clinton stopped by the event to bring attention to voter suppression and the various efforts lawmakers utilize to prevent from certain groups from making it to the polls.
“The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy,” Clinton said. “It gives us, each and every citizen, a voice in how our government works. Sadly, this fundamental right is under attack all across the country. Dozens of states have passed laws in recent years making it harder to vote. These laws disproportionately affect minority groups, the poor and the elderly. Millions have been disenfranchised by voter ID laws alone.”
To drive her point home, Clinton then introduced viewers to Ruthelle Frank, a Wisconsin resident who’s been voting since 1948 without an official birth certificate. However, Frank has been barred from voting since 2011 because of a lack of proper ID, one of the many ways citizens are kept away from the voting booth. Five years ago, The ACLU partnered with Frank to fight the voter ID law, but the case is still being appealed in courts.
After the clip, Clinton ended her donation ask with a powerful plea to Americans to never give up the fight.
“Well, Ruthelle isn’t giving up and the ACLU isn’t giving up. I’m not giving up. I hope that none of you are giving up because we know that our right to vote is fundamental precious and worth fighting for,” she added. “And we know that we need the ACLU to be part of leading this fight on all of our behalf, so if you believe that please, please put that belief into action and give.”
Since her mother Hillary Clinton lost the election, rumors have swirled that Chelsea might run for public office. The former first daughter addressed the speculation about her political future in an interview with Variety published Wednesday.
“I really am constantly surprised by the stories of me running for, fill in the blank — Congress, Senate, City Council, the presidency,” Clinton said. “I really find this all rather hysterical, because I’ve been asked this question a lot throughout my life, and the answer has never changed.”
In the meantime, Clinton will be working on her children’s picture book titled She Persisted featuring the stories of powerful women throughout history like Harriet Tubman, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Oprah Winfrey and Sonia Sotomayor.
Ready to give? Text POWER to 20222 to donate $10 to the ACLU. The ACLU will call to explain other actions you can take to help. (Terms here.) You can also support “Stand for Rights: A Benefit for the ACLU” by heading to the ACLU website.
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