March for voting rights.

Tiffany Onyejiaka
Written By Nicole Cardoza

TAKE ACTION

GET EDUCATED

By Nicole Cardoza (she/her) and Tiffany Onyejiaka (she/her)
​

Since the last election, states across the country have passed or attempted to pass harmful legislation limiting the people’s right to vote. In Texas, for example, Republicans aim to create stricter rules on mail ballots and prohibit 24-hour and drive-thru voting (AP News). In Georgia, absentee ballots have been significantly limited, mobile voting sites are essentially banned, and offering food or water to voters waiting in line now risks misdemeanor charges (N.Y. Times ). Consequently, civil rights activists have organized a mass mobilization in the spirit of the 1963 March on Washington, a historical event that transformed political engagement.

​

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom officially began on August 28, 1963 (History). Over 200,000 demonstrators, predominantly Black Americans, descended on the nation’s capital to protest and pressure the Kennedy Administration into creating stronger civil rights protections and legacies during this era of legal segregation (Stanford). It’s important to stress the economic aspect of the demands of this march. Racial oppression and economic oppression have been symbiotic for decades, and many civil rights leaders have fought for equity for Black Americans on both fronts.

​

Dr. Martin Luther King ended this march with his world-famous “I Have a Dream” speech. However, many other notable civil rights activists also shared powerful words and visions with the crowd. These include Roy Wilkins of the NAACP, Whitney Young of the National Urban League, John Lewis of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and others (National Park Service). Despite the male dominance of the speakers, women such as Dorothy Height of the National Council of Negro Women played essential roles in the organization and execution of this momentous march (National Park Service).

​

This march did lead to some direct successes for the civil rights causes. President Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson met with civil rights leaders such as King shortly after the march (Stanford). The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 reflect many of the demands discussed during the many speeches of the march.
​

However, this march did not end many of the afflictions affecting the ability of Black Americans to have equity in political or economic opportunities. Over 50 years later, many of the topics are echoed by 21st-century activists demanding freedom and economic justice for Black people today.

​

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was reversed in the June 2013 ruling of Shelby County v. Holder. Since then, 24 states have implemented new restrictions on voting that make it especially difficult for marginalized communities to exercise their right to vote (Vox). Activists fought for HR 4, known as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to be re-introduced in Congress as an antidote for these manipulative practices. The bill would require jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination in voting to get clearance from the Justice Department before changing voting rules (CBS News). The bill passed in the House on Tuesday this week – but will need full support of Democrats and 10 Republicans to pass in the Senate. As of now, no Republicans in the House support it.

​

But even if this law does pass, we need to do more work to ensure that all of us have the right to vote. This has never been a one-time fix but a consistent and persistent march for justice – literally and figuratively.

Key Takeaways

  • Saturday, August 28 marks the anniversary of the The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, when 200,000+ demonstrators descended on the nation’s capital to protest and pressure the Kennedy Administration into creating stronger civil rights protections and legacies during this era of legal segregation.

  • In its honor, activists have organized a series of marches to protest the slew of state legislation implemented since the last election to limit individual's right to vote.

  • Throughout time, legislation limiting access to voting has made it especially difficult for marginalized communities to cast a ballot.

RELATED ISSUES

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT

Thank you for all your financial contributions! If you haven't already, consider making a monthly donation to this work. These funds will help me operationalize this work for greatest impact.

Subscribe on Patreon | Give one-time on PayPal | Venmo @nicoleacardoza

Nicole Cardoza
Previous

Support unfairly targeted activists.
Next

Embrace the diversity of Indian food.