By Mona Austin
Vice President Kamala Harris joined activists and leaders on the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the march that changed the Civil Rights Movement. Marchers met forceful resistance on that bridge Before stepping a foot on the bridge the vice president sent a strong message to Republicans about interfering with voting, which was a major cause that citizens suffered for in the same spot in 1965.
On Sunday, March 7, 1965, hundreds of freedom marchers were assaulted by state troopers and goons on the Alabama bridge in what became known as Bloody Sunday. At the time they were marching for the right of Blacks to register to vote without interference. Alabama Rep. Sewell who was among the marchers this Sunday said it is never lost on her when she walks the halls of Congress that it is because of the sacrifices on the bridge that advocates are working to have re-named in honor of John Lewis who was brutally beaten there in 1965.
Democrats failed to get Congressional Republicans to change filibuster rules this year, leaving
the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act in limbo. But, Harris' words were a reminder that the fight for voting rights is not over.
The Vice President said that the Biden Administration has used the full extent of it's executive power to make voting fair for everyone and protect the ballot.
It was the election that led her to the historic position she hold that was the most controversial in recent times.
"A record number of people cast their ballots in the 2020 elections. It was a triumph of democracy in many ways. But not everyone saw it that way. Some saw it as a threat," Harris recalled.
The passage of the voting bills could eliminate what she referred to as "un-American" laws tat were enacted in Republican run states across that limit voting.
"The spirit of Selma that we summon today. . . .We will keep fighting. we will keep on. . . ," Harris said.
Quoting Lewis and the final line of the National Negro Anthem ("Lift Every Voice and Sing") she continued, "We will keep making good trouble and we will march on until victory is won." Marchers met forceful resistance form state trooper on the bridge 56 years ago.
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