In a new 50-page report, the New York City Bar Association lists “waves” of recently passed state laws that it says will suppress voter rights, entreaties the U.S. Congress to enact broad federal election reform laws in response, and calls on lawyers nationwide to “speak loudly and to act effectively” and “not stand by as mere witnesses” as the state laws and related actions threaten America’s democracy.

“It is the duty of lawyers throughout our nation to speak loudly and to act effectively, both individually and through their professional associations, to oppose the current actions by state legislatures and executives to limit our citizens’ right to vote or to disregard their votes if unfavorable to those who control the reins of government,” the urgently worded and detailed report states.