WASHINGTON, DC – Actor and activist Jane Fonda will host a live event with Greek-American Rep. John Sarbanes, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Color of Change President Rashad Robinson, Center for Popular Democracy Senior Voting Rights and Democracy Manager Ria Thompson-Washington, Demos Senior Policy Analyst Laura Williamson, and a capella singing troupe Sweet Honey in the Rock on Friday, March 5, 11 AM PST/2 PM EST.

The Fire Drill Friday rally will highlight this week’s vote of the For the People Act (H.R.1), a comprehensive package of democracy reforms, in the House. The conversation will focus on the impact this transformational package will have if also passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden, including getting big money out of politics, restoring voting rights, and offering new protections for voters. The livestream will also feature a performance from a capella singing troupe Sweet Honey in the Rock.

“Across the country, Republican state legislators have advanced a record number of voter suppression schemes in a blatant attempt to silence the voices of Americans – especially in communities of color – and block people from voting in our elections. In Congress, Democrats remain united and committed in our effort to swiftly pass H.R. 1 and prevent these insidious, Republican-led efforts from taking effect. H.R. 1 is a historic undertaking that will end decades of dysfunction in Washington, return power to the people, and build a more just, equitable and prosperous country for all Americans. We have no time to waste,” said Rep. John Sarbanes.

Congressman John Sarbanes has represented Maryland’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. Congress since 2007. He currently serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Subcommittee on Health, and the House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. Congressman Sarbanes also serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee and its Subcommittee on Government Operations. Since 2017, he has chaired the Democracy Reform Task Force, a bold effort in the House of Representatives to build a government that puts the public's interests ahead of special interests.

Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State. She is focused on ensuring elections are secure and accessible and dramatically improving customer experiences for all who interact with our offices. Benson is the author of “State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process.”

In October 2019, Jane Fonda launched Fire Drill Fridays as a weekly rally in the nation's capitol to demand action from leaders to address the climate crisis. The movement grew quickly reaching millions of people through weekly rallies and marches through the capitol’s streets, star-studded arrests at the Hart Senate Building, and live-streamed teach-ins from the Greenpeace USA headquarters. In January of 2020, Fire Drill Fridays expanded nationally with Fonda hosting actions across the state of California. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the movement moved online and has garnered over 8.3 million views across platforms. Each week, Fonda hosts a virtual Fire Drill Friday, kicking off every month with a virtual rally.

Fire Drill Fridays air on Zoom, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram on Fridays at 11 AM PST/2 PM EST and are broadcasted every Saturday and Sunday on SiriusXM Progress channel 127. Fire Drill Fridays aims to bring together activists, actors, youth, Indigenous leaders, climate experts, and concerned individuals to take action to pressure politicians to adopt a Green New Deal, end new fossil fuels, and enact a just transition to a renewable economy that protects workers and communities. Fire Drill Fridays is a collaboration between Jane Fonda and Greenpeace USA. To join the movement or learn more, visit https://firedrillfridays.com/. 

RSVP on Facebook for the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/246309667144298.