Montgomery, Ala. — Thousands gathered Saturday in Montgomery to rally against recent efforts to redraw congressional districts that impact Black political representation. The event coincided with a historic site near the Alabama Capitol, where civil rights leaders and activists emphasized the importance of voting rights and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, according to organizers.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey called Montgomery “sacred soil” in the fight for civil rights. “If we in our generation do not now do our duty, we will lose the gains and the rights and the liberties that our ancestors afforded us,” Booker said. The crowd responded with chants of “We won’t go back” and “We fight.”
Speakers highlighted recent Supreme Court decisions that have weakened voting rights protections. The rulings have led to stricter voter ID laws, registration restrictions, and limits on early voting and polling place changes. Civil rights leaders, including the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., said these decisions threaten decades of progress in Black voter participation.
The rally, which started in Selma and moved to Montgomery, honored the history of voting rights activism. It took place at a site where the Confederacy was formed and where King spoke during the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march. Confederate statues flanked the stage, symbolizing the ongoing struggle between racial progress and resistance.
Participants expressed concern about recent redistricting efforts. A federal court in 2023 ordered Alabama to redraw its 2nd Congressional District to better represent Black voters, who comprise about 27% of the population. While the court mandated a district where Black voters could elect their preferred candidates, the Supreme Court later approved a new map that could favor Republican interests. Alabama plans to hold special primaries in August under the new boundaries, despite ongoing litigation.
Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures emphasized that the issue is about representation for all voters. “When Republicans are literally turning back the clock on what representation looks like, it resonates with people,” he said. Meanwhile, Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling provides an opportunity to revisit the district map, which was initially imposed by a federal court.
Veterans of the civil rights movement, such as Kirk Carrington, expressed disappointment over the rollback of voting protections. Carrington, who was attacked during the 1965 Selma marches, said it is troubling to see the fight for voting rights continue after more than 60 years. Civil rights leaders and activists remain committed, urging renewed efforts to protect voting rights for future generations.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
