Sen. Alex Padilla, faith leaders defend voting rights in democracy roundtable

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) speaks to the media in the Pacific Palisades, April 24, 2025. On Thursday Padilla gathered faith leaders and politicians for a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C., on voting rights. Genaro Molina Los Angeles Times/TNS

California Sen. Alex Padilla convened faith leaders and political figures in a Thursday roundtable discussion to defend voting rights and remember the legacy of civil rights hero John Lewis. The Washington, D.C., gathering took place a day before the sixth anniversary of Lewis’ death. Lewis, a Democrat who represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District from 1987-2020, inspired discussion among attendees on the state of civil liberties in the U.S. today. Speakers also explored the intersection between faith and democratic values, condemning discriminatory law enforcement practices and cutbacks of voting rights.

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