Veterans of color push for voting rights, demilitarizing police departments EXCLUSIVE: Black members of the veteran group, Common Defense, are speaking out in support of progressive values as it relates to key issues like voting and policing Loading the player... Veterans of color are pushing for elected officials to move on voting rights and demilitarizing police departments across the country. (Photo: Adobe Stock) Since June 2020, the country’s law enforcement practices and voting protections have been under the microscope. At the intersection of both issues is Common Defense, a coalition of veterans who support progressive values. The organization’s Black members want the country to recognize that the face and political positions of veterans across the country are evolving to largely include BIPOC former service members.