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John -- Every day we see that legislation passed by our leadership fails to address many of the most basic human rights.
Many of us can’t afford basic necessities like healthcare, childcare, and education. We are burdened by a justice system that marginalizes people of color and favors the wealthy. We read about legislation that is stripping away the right to make decisions about our own bodies and fails to protect communities against discrimination, racism, and xenophobia. We’re experiencing firsthand the impact of representatives ignoring crumbling infrastructure, abuses on our environment and the global impact of the immediate threat of climate change.
That’s why Brand New Congress is announcing a 21st Century Bill of Rights to address basic human rights that have been historically overlooked or underserved.
Every single BNC candidate has signed a pledge to uphold these values through legislation. Contribute today to help us get the word out about a Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.
We believe all people have the inalienable right to:
Justice and Liberty for All
- All individuals have the right to liberty, justice, and equal protection under the law.
- Our judicial system must safeguard fair and equal treatment for all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, immigration status or ability to pay.
- The government must take active measures to eliminate barriers to all forms of justice and equality.
Quality of Life
- The inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness must be safeguarded by a basic standard of living which includes adequate and safe housing, healthy food, clothing, access to means of transportation, modern tools of communication, and leisure time.
Self-Determination in Governance
- The right of all people to determine their own governmental system dedicated to human rights, justice for all, and equitable opportunity cannot be impeded by any government or private corporation.
- We stand in opposition to imperialism, colonialism, and all other violations of the right to self-determination in governance.
Equal Participation in Governance
- Every citizen of the United States has the right to equal participation in our government.
- The government must safeguard rights established by the 1st Amendment. Whistleblowers must be protected to ensure accountability and transparency.
- All citizens have the right to seek public office, regardless of their means. Qualifications for candidacy shall be determined by demonstrated community support and not by arbitrary fees or rules established by private political parties.
- The right to vote is universal to all citizens, unimpeded by race, incarceration, gender, or geography.
Healthcare & Bodily Autonomy
- Healthcare is a human right, and all people in the United States must be guaranteed all forms of healthcare throughout an individual’s lifetime.
- All individuals have the right to make choices about their bodies and to bodily autonomy.
A Healthy Environment
- The survival of humanity is dependent on clean water, clean air, arable land, biodiversity, and a sustainable environment.
Housing
- All individuals have the right to clean, safe, and modernized housing.
- The government must eliminate homelessness by providing safe housing to all people who lack the financial means to secure their own, and by cultivating practices to make housing affordable in all communities.
Education
- A high-quality education is essential to secure the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- The government shall provide tuition-free education from early childhood, through primary school, public universities, public community colleges, and trade schools.
Employment
- Every American who needs a job has a right to stable and sustainable employment with a living wage.
- The federal government must ensure and protect the rights of all workers to unionize and organize, regardless of the form of employment, incarcerated status, or immigration status.
- A Constitutional amendment is necessary to abolish legalized slavery under the 13th Amendment.
Safe and Sustainable Public Infrastructure
- All individuals and communities have the right to modern, clean, safe, and sustainable public infrastructure.
- Access to modern communications devices and infrastructure is essential for public safety, quality of life, and the rights to employment and education.
Freedom of Movement
- All people have the right to move freely, live, and work throughout the country. The United States of America must implement an immigration system built on the tenets of human rights.
- Agencies and policies focused solely on deportation, detention, and suppression of migration, including ICE, CBP, border militarization, and the denial of the right to seek asylum must be eliminated.
Privacy
- The privacy of individuals must not be infringed upon by the government and we must safeguard provisions set forth in the 4th Amendment.
We are working to build a Brand New Congress that is for the people, by the people, and will fight for policies that help ALL Americans. It’s time for a change. It’s time for a Bill of Rights for the 21st Century.
United we stand,
Zeynab Day
Communications Director
Brand New Congress
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