Civil and Human Rights Coalition: Lawmakers Returning from Selma Must Commit to Restoring the Voting Rights Act
WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after more than 100 lawmakers returned from Selma, Alabama, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday march that spurred the nation to pass the Voting Rights Act. The VRA was gutted by the Supreme Court in 2013. Several Republican members of Congress, since returning from the trip, have indicated they would be open to supporting a restoration of the VRA.
“Fifty years ago, the Bloody Sunday marchers were brutalized by police for taking a stand. Their sacrifice inspired the nation to adopt the bipartisan Voting Rights Act. Last weekend’s commemoration was a clear call to action for lawmakers to fix the Shelby decision and restore the VRA.
The VRA is one of the most successful civil rights laws in American history, an indispensable tool for combating voter discrimination into the 21st century, and a fitting tribute to the Selma marchers. But the legacy of those who risked their lives in Selma has been unraveled by the voting discrimination that has emerged even more starkly since the Supreme Court gutted the VRA in 2013.
We commend the members of Congress who recognize that Selma is a call to action to secure voting rights for racial minorities in this country. For example:
· Senator Susan Collins penned a column in the Portland Press Herald and, while in Selma, said that ‘this trip is going to cause me to take more of a look at that decision.’
· Senator Rob Portman told a reporter that ‘because of this trip, I will be more interested.’
· Senator Tim Scott, who co-chaired the event, tweeted ‘access to the ballot for all Americans must be protected. Will be conversations on #VRA as we continue to discuss path forward.’
· And Congressman Tom Reed even committed to co-sponsor a VRA fix in the House.
Words alone will not restore the legacy of Selma. Commemoration requires legislation. We urge all members of Congress who made the trip, and who learned the value of voting rights in this country, to take action.”
Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.
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