March On For Voting Rights

Last updated
March On For Voting Rights
March On For Voting Rights.png
Date08/28/2021
Type Political campaign
CauseVoting reform
Organized by March On
Website https://marchonforvotingrights.org/

March On For Voting Rights was a mass mobilization organized by civil rights leaders in response to Senate Republicans blocking the For The People Act. [1] [2] [3] On August 28, the 58th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic March on Washington, activists marched on cities across America to demand that the vision of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech be deferred no longer. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

For the People Act

The announcement of the march came one day after Senate Republicans blocked the For the People Act – a signature voting and election bill that Democrats had pitched to counter state-level efforts. [7] Republicans had expressed widespread opposition to the measure, arguing that they felt it was designed to help Democrats succeed in future elections. [8]

Organizers

Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr., led the march with his family’s organization the Drum Major Institute along with March On, Service Employees International Union, Future Coalition, and Al Sharpton lead with his organization, National Action Network.

March On said the need to pass federal voting rights protections has increase dramatically since the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, when supporters of former President Trump stormed the building on the baseless premise that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

“The danger since then has only increased, as numerous elected officials have now codified such lies into law, citing nonexistent voter fraud and public doubts they themselves encouraged,” March On said. [9]

MLK III said his father would be both saddened and elated in 2021.

“I think my father would be greatly disappointed in where we are at this moment, but he’d be quite proud of the young people that came together last year. He’d be proud of the fact that millions of young people in our nation actually sparked movements around the world, because George Floyd did not just impact the United States,” King said. [10]

Alejandro Chavez, the child of the oldest of the late labor leader Cesar Chavez's eight children, an activist working in grassroots organizing, Latino outreach and movement-building, was also a leader in the march. [11]

Marches

The Aug. 28 march marked the 58th anniversary of the historic March on Washington where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. [12] Marches were held in Washington DC, Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix and Houston. [13] The rallies, which were held in dozens of cities, were intended to increase pressure on Democrats to rewrite procedural rules that would allow Democrats to muscle the legislation through without Republican votes. [14]

Those attending the march in Washington gathered at McPherson Square at 8 a.m. before starting the march at 9:45 a.m., according to organizers. The group marched past Black Lives Matter Plaza, the White House and the Washington Monument before rallying from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the National Museum of African American History and Culture at 15th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. [15]

DC

Thousands of people marched in DC Civil rights leaders joined by about 70 D.C. statehood activists at Freedom Plaza in Northwest to insist making the District the 51st state is a priority for the national voting rights movement. [16]

Atlanta

Hundreds of people marched in Atlanta to support federal voting rights legislation. [17] Outside the King Center, supporters called on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act — named for the Atlanta civil rights leader and congressman who died last year. [18] Later, they marched past Ebenezer Baptist Church to the John Lewis mural on Auburn Avenue to honor the bill’s namesake. [19]

Florida

Hundreds of people marched in Florida in Miami and West Palm Beach. [20]

Arizona

Hundreds of Arizonans gathered in Phoenix for the march. [21] The event was held indoors at Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church in lieu of an outdoor march due to Phoenix's extreme August heat, according to event organizers. [22] Attendees listened in on a church service with modifications to fit the event, such as speeches about voting that then transitioned to panels with community leaders. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Luther King Jr.</span> American Baptist minister and civil rights leader (1929–1968)

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, and political philosopher who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. A Black church leader and a son of early civil rights activist and minister Martin Luther King Sr., King advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States through nonviolence and civil disobedience. Inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi, he led targeted, nonviolent resistance against Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Luther King Jr. Day</span> U.S. holiday, 3rd Monday of January

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. Born in 1929, King's actual birthday is January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom</span> 1963 civil rights movement demonstration

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, also known as simply the March on Washington or The Great March on Washington, was held in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. The purpose of the march was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. At the march, final speaker Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech in which he called for an end to racism and Racial Segregation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Christian Leadership Conference</span> African-American civil rights organization

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is an African-American civil rights organization based in Atlanta, Georgia. SCLC is closely associated with its first president, Martin Luther King Jr., who had a large role in the American civil rights movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexter King</span> American civil rights activist and son of Martin Luther King Jr.

Dexter Scott King is an American civil rights and animal rights activist and the second son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. King is also the brother of Martin Luther King III, Bernice King, and Yolanda King; and also grandson of Martin Luther King Sr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park</span> National Historical Park of the United States

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park covers about 35 acres (0.14 km2) and includes several sites in Atlanta, Georgia related to the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Within the park is his boyhood home, and Ebenezer Baptist Church — the church where King was baptized and both he and his father, Martin Luther King Sr., were pastors — as well as, the grave site of King, Jr., and his wife, civil rights activist Coretta Scott King.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Luther King III</span> American civil rights activist

Martin Luther King III is an American human rights activist, philanthropist and advocate. The oldest son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, King served as the 4th President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1997 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernice King</span> American minister and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.

Bernice Albertine King is an American lawyer, minister, and the youngest child of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She was five years old when her father was assassinated. In her adolescence, King chose to work towards becoming a minister after having a breakdown from watching a documentary about her father. King was 17 when she was invited to speak at the United Nations. Twenty years after her father was assassinated, she preached her trial sermon, inspired by her parents' activism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Action Network</span> Civil rights organization

The National Action Network (NAN) is a not-for-profit, civil rights organization founded by the Reverend Al Sharpton in New York City, New York, in early 1991. In a 2016 profile, Vanity Fair called Sharpton "arguably the country's most influential civil rights leader".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial</span> Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is a national memorial located in West Potomac Park next to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., United States. It covers four acres (1.6 ha) and includes the Stone of Hope, a granite statue of Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King Jr. carved by sculptor Lei Yixin. The inspiration for the memorial design is a line from King's "I Have a Dream" speech: "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." The memorial opened to the public on August 22, 2011, after more than two decades of planning, fund-raising, and construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Have a Dream</span> 1963 speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.

"I Have a Dream" is a public speech that was delivered by American civil rights activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In the speech, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was one of the most famous moments of the civil rights movement and among the most iconic speeches in American history.

<i>Alpha Man: The Brotherhood of MLK</i> American TV series or program

Alpha Man: The Brotherhood of MLK is a television documentary film that reveals the story of Martin Luther King Jr.’s fraternity days as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Produced by Rainforest Films, the half-hour special originally aired August 28, 2011 on BET. The documentary special was scheduled to debut on the same day as the much-anticipated official dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial statue on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The statue's dedication, which was to coincide with the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington and King’s "Dream" speech, was postponed until October 16, 2011, due to Hurricane Irene.

<i>Selma</i> (film) 2014 film by Ava DuVernay

Selma is a 2014 historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches initiated and directed by James Bevel and led by Martin Luther King Jr., Hosea Williams, and John Lewis. The film stars actors David Oyelowo as King, Tom Wilkinson as President Lyndon B. Johnson, Tim Roth as George Wallace, Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King, and Common as Bevel.

The history of the 1954 to 1968 American civil rights movement has been depicted and documented in film, song, theater, television, and the visual arts. These presentations add to and maintain cultural awareness and understanding of the goals, tactics, and accomplishments of the people who organized and participated in this nonviolent movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">March On (organization)</span>

March On, stylized as March ON, is an American nonprofit organization of women-led and grassroots political activist groups that grew out of the women’s marches of January 21, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passage of Martin Luther King Jr. Day</span> Political process behind the American holiday

A United States federal statute honoring the Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and his work in the civil rights movement with a federal holiday was enacted by the 98th United States Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on November 2, 1983, creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The final vote in the House of Representatives on August 2, 1983, was 338–90 with 5 members voting present or abstaining, while the final vote in the Senate on October 19, 1983, was 78–22, both veto-proof margins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. (Atlanta)</span>

The Martin Luther King Jr. statue is a public monument of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. The statue, designed by Martin Dawe, was unveiled in 2017 and stands on the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol, overlooking Liberty Plaza.

Stephon Ferguson is an American motivational speaker, actor and voice over artist best known for recreating the voice of Martin Luther King Jr.

There are two statues of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Newark, New Jersey. Both are located on the Essex County Courthouse Complex at its newest addition, the Martin Luther King Justice Building.

References

  1. ↑ "Martin Luther King III: 'It's really sad' we're still marching for voting rights". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  2. ↑ CNN (23 June 2021). "Civil rights leaders announce another March on Washington after voting rights bill fails in Senate". Madison365. Retrieved 2021-07-06.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. ↑ Nicquel Terry Ellis (23 June 2021). "Civil rights leaders announce another March on Washington after voting rights bill fails in Senate". CNN. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  4. ↑ "Martin Luther King III and Rev Al Sharpton announce 'March On for Voting Rights'". news.yahoo.com. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  5. ↑ "Martin Luther King III and Rev Al Sharpton announce 'March On for Voting Rights'". The Independent. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  6. ↑ Stockhouse.com. "March On Announces Historic "March On For Voting Rights," In Partnership With MLK Jr's Drum Major Institute, SEIU, National Action Network And Future Coalition, To Take Place On 58th Anniversary Of MLK's March On Washington". stockhouse. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  7. ↑ "Martin Luther King III and Rev Al Sharpton announce 'March On for Voting Rights'". news.yahoo.com. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  8. ↑ CNN (23 June 2021). "Civil rights leaders announce another March on Washington after voting rights bill fails in Senate". Madison365. Retrieved 2021-07-07.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ↑ Williams, Jordan (2021-06-23). "Martin Luther King III, Al Sharpton to hold nationwide march against voter suppression". TheHill. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  10. ↑ Ihejirika, Maudlyne (2021-08-11). "Battle to pass federal voting rights legislation to heat up with Aug. 28 marches nationwide". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  11. ↑ Ihejirika, Maudlyne (2021-08-11). "Battle to pass federal voting rights legislation to heat up with Aug. 28 marches nationwide". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  12. ↑ "Multi State "March On For Voting Rights" Planned For August 28th | Black Star News". www.blackstarnews.com. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  13. ↑ "Martin Luther King III and Rev Al Sharpton announce 'March On for Voting Rights'". The Independent. 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  14. ↑ "Marchers across US call on Congress to bolster voting rights". AP NEWS. 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  15. ↑ "Fight for voting rights ramps up with nationwide marches planned on Aug. 28". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  16. ↑ "D.C. Statehood a Priority, Civil Rights Leaders Say". The Washington Informer. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  17. ↑ Wickert, David. "Hundreds rally in Atlanta to support federal voting rights legislation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  18. ↑ "Hundreds gather at King Center to march for voting rights". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  19. ↑ "Watch | Bernice King speaks in Atlanta on anniversary of father's 'I Have A Dream' speech". 11Alive.com. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  20. ↑ "March On For Voting Rights In South FL: Miami, West Palm Beach". Miami, FL Patch. 2021-08-27. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  21. ↑ "Opinion | The state Republicans who refuse to let Trump's "big lie" die". NBC News. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  22. ↑ Willard, Ellie (2021-08-31). "Crowds gather to rally for voting rights". Downtown Devil. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  23. ↑ "Student organizers protest voter suppression laws at nationwide event". The Arizona State Press. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.