The fundamental right to vote is being threatened in the United States, stated Harris and Garland during their visit to Alabama on the anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’.

In Selma, Alabama, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a large gathering commemorating the 59th anniversary of the violent attacks on civil rights marchers known as Bloody Sunday. Harris emphasized that essential freedoms, including the right to vote, are presently threatened in America. Speaking from the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where activists were brutally confronted by law enforcement in 1965, Harris commended the bravery of those who participated in the pivotal moment of the civil rights movement. She highlighted ongoing efforts to restrict voting rights, such as limitations on absentee and early voting, urging people to consider what kind of country they wish to live in and to exercise their voting power accordingly.

Harris drew parallels between historical attempts to suppress the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary “extremists” pushing for restrictions on voting, education, and reproductive rights. She also referenced the Biden administration’s support for a ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized the importance of upholding women’s autonomy over their bodies amidst state abortion bans.

Attorney General Merrick Garland also spoke at a church service in Selma, warning of the threats posed by recent court decisions and state legislation to voting rights across the nation. Garland highlighted measures making it harder for eligible voters to cast their ballots and urged vigilance in protecting the foundation of the democratic system.

The events in Selma, including the symbolic march across the bridge led by Harris, are part of the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee, attended by Democratic leaders paying tribute to the voting rights movement. The commemoration serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to safeguard voting rights and uphold the legacy of those who fought for equality in 1965.