As the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 approaches, Senate Democrats have again re-introduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. That act has been stalled since 2021, but nevertheless, Senate Democrats cited the need to address voter discrimination as they re-introduced the act.
According to Gray DC, Senate Majority Chuck Schumer said at the press conference, “Today we are reintroducing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act because we know how crucial, how critical it is, for us to do our part to expand access to the ballot box and end voter discrimination.”
In 2013, the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby v. Holder took power
away from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and combined with the rollback of voting protections at the state level, Senate Democrats felt compelled to act.Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin called attention to the laws at the state level, saying, “Last year alone state legislators in 14 states enacted 17 laws that made it harder for people, particularly people of color, to vote.”
In addition to the anniversary of the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, March 7 is the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Selma, Alabama, march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge that created the impetus for the passage of the Civil Rights Act when Black protesters were brutally beaten on camera by police officers as they marched.
According to the Equal Justice Institute, “Horrifying images of the violence were broadcast on national television, shocking many viewers and helping to rouse support for the civil rights cause. Activists organized another march two days later, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged supporters from throughout the country to come to Selma to join. Many heeded his call, and the events helped spur passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 three months later.”
As One News reported, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock made a personal note during his remarks before calling attention to how important the legislation is.
“I was Congressman Lewis’ pastor,
but he was my mentor and hero because he believed voting is a sacred undertaking that’s about more than a person’s voice, it’s about their humanity,” Warnock said. “That’s why this legislation is more important than ever, because the fight to protect voting rights and voting access for every eligible American remains unfinished and even worse, so much of the progress Congressman Lewis fought for is being rolled back.”Derrick Johnson, the national NAACP President thanked the Democrats for raising the issue in a statement.
“The NAACP is proud to support Senator Warnock’s reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act bill. Right now, Americans, particularly Black Americans’ right to vote is under attack.”
Johnson continued, “The reintroduction of this bill marks another pivotal moment in the fight to ensure every American has access to the ballot box. We know that democracy can’t exist without the Black vote. Now, it’s up to our leaders to protect it, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every vote counted. Together, we’ll repair democracy.”
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