Bloody Sunday anniversary highlights ongoing voting rights issues

By WVUA 23 News Reporter Gracie Fusco

On Sunday, President Joe Biden visited Selma for the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. While there, he pressed for the same thing marchers were beaten over nearly 60 years ago: voting rights.

“The right to vote, to have your vote counted, is the threshold of democracy and liberty,” said Biden. “With it, anything’s possible, without that right nothing is possible.”

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act, eight days after Bloody Sunday. That drew the nation’s attention to barriers that prevented African Americans from voting in local, state and even national elections.

Years later, Biden said voting rights are still being challenged.

“This fundamental right remains under assault,” said Biden. “By educating yourself, registering to vote and going to the polls, people can begin to make change and exercise their constitutional right.”

Tuscaloosa’s NAACP Chapter President Lisa Young has hope for the future.

“I hope that we can reach a medium and that people become more active and take the right to vote more seriously.” Young said.

If you’re not already, you can register to vote online or in person.