Nearly 6 decades ago, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led thousands of people in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches.

This group of mothers, sons, fathers, grandmothers, sisters, and brothers all joined together in one common goal: exercising their right to vote.

But this was not the first time activists had attempted this march.

Just two and half weeks earlier, a group making the same symbolic march, neared the final stretch of their peaceful and hopeful journey, crossing over the Edmund Pettus Bridge when they were met by local law enforcement and white vigilante groups intent on stopping them — through whatever means necessary.

What unfolded next would go on to be referred to as “Bloody Sunday” and would mark a cultural shift in the Civil Rights Movement.

Though resistance and force were not new.
Though Black Americans and their allies had faced threats, violence, and jail time before.
Something was different that day.

This time, the violent acts carried out against the marches with batons, fire hoses, and police dogs, were captured on camera and streamed into households on the evening news, all across the country.

Americans could no longer deny the gruesome truth. Their fellow citizens were not just being denied their constitutional rights. They were being brutalized. They were being tortured.

Eighteen days later, Dr. King and his fellow marchers arrived on the Montgomery Capitol steps safely and without violent opposition. And just a few days later, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was introduced in Congress.

Today I am taking pause to acknowledge and honor the work of all those who came before me, who made historic elections like our Board of Supervisors race possible.

I also take stock of the fact that even though we have come a long way since 1965, the fight to ensure each and every American’s vote counts continues. Particularly in a system that actively tries to disenfranchise historically marginalized communities.

We must stay vigilant. In their honor. And for our future.

In Solidarity,
— Monica Montgomery Steppe

Born and raised in San Diego, Monica Montgomery Steppe is an HBCU graduate, and an attorney by trade. Monica believes in her heart that the neighborhoods and community members are vibrant and worthy of care and investment.To learn more about Monica and the work she's doing for District Four, click here

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Paid for by: Montgomery Steppe for Supervisor 2023
FPPC ID # 1460285
3295 Meade Ave, #212, San Diego CA 92116