The Community, Democracy, and Dialogue (CDD) initiative welcomes Sophia Lin Lakin, Director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, for a presentation and discussion on voter suppression.The event will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and will be followed by a meet and greet reception. RSVP is required.

Lakin is a leading voting rights attorney who has dedicated her career to protecting and expanding voting rights across the United States, successfully challenging discriminatory voting laws and redistricting plans across the country. In her leadership role, she directs the Project’s strategic litigation efforts that have helped secure voting access and fair representation for millions.

The Voting Rights Project mission is to build and defend an accessible, inclusive, and equitable democracy free from racial discrimination. Established in 1965, the VRP has worked to protect the gains in political participation won by voters of color, litigating hundreds of voting rights cases and successfully challenging efforts to suppress voting or to dilute minority voting strength.

Amel Ahmed, Professor of Political Science at UMass Amherst, will lead a moderated discussion following the talk. All are welcome!

About the CDD

The Community, Democracy, and Dialogue initiative at UMass Amherst was formed to help our campus community navigate challenging, complex, and controversial subjects in ways that bring us together. The CDD exists to promote dialogue, academic inquiry, and respect for differences in addressing the challenges of our time.