60s Style Voting Rights Rally Set in Montgomery Saturday
The Alabama Republican rush to redistrict Alabama's congressional districts in an attempt to make solid red Alabama redder, has stirred up a hornet's nest in the Democratic Party and with voting rights groups.
The vow by black state lawmakers and activists during the recent redistricting special session to organize and revitalize the voting rights movement is taking shape this coming weekend in Montgomery.
"All Roads Lead to the South — National Day of Action for Voting Rights" is scheduled for Saturday afternoon a 1:00 in Downtown Montgomery. Organizers include Black Voters Matter, American Civil Liberties Union, faith leaders, organizers, and community members from across the South.
Organizers have announced their goal is to take action to protect fair representation. Person who are interested in participating are being urged to RSVP to learn more about the event.
West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell, whose 7th District is one that will be part of the special election scheduled by Gov. Ivey on August 11th has been in the forefront of attempting to pass a new, stronger voting rights act named after the late Alabama native and Georgia Congressman John Lewis. She says the decisions by the federal courts to weaken the 1965 Voting Rights Act are sending a dangerous signal.
The Selma native is voicing concern that, "The protections won during the civil rights movement are somehow negotiable," she stated on the U.S. House floor. "that the rights secured on the Edmund Pettus Bridge can be weakened, narrowed or ignored. Well, I reject that. The people I represent reject that, and history rejects that."
Sewell wrote on her Facebook page an additional message in advance of Saturday's rally. "I believe that if we stand together, organize together, and fight together, we can protect the sacred right to vote for generations to come."
Besides Alabama, several other states are redistricting in an effort to further their party's interest, including California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah which are actively implementing new district lines, and Virginia which is in the process.
Alabama leaders claim the redistricting is about political party, not race.
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