Team,

On March 7, 1965, unarmed marchers were brutally attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge by state and county troopers while peacefully calling for the right to vote for African American citizens. This disturbing act of violence shaped the future of America and has gone down in history as Bloody Sunday.

This past Sunday, 57 years later, as the Congresswoman representing the district where these historic acts took place – I marched along with Vice President Kamala Harris, Rev. Al Sharpton, and many others across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in honor of Congressman John Lewis’ memory and to shine a light on our fight to protect our democracy.

As I crossed the bridge this year, the threats to our rights and democracy loomed large. Bloody Sunday resulted in federal protections for voting rights. But now our rights are once again under attack, and the only way to protect them is by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Without it, our rights will continue to be chipped away.

As we prepared to cross the bridge, Rev. Al Sharpton put it best:

The battle for civil rights is one that has shaped my community for generations. It continues to inspire me to do my best for Alabama as we face this all-too-familiar challenge. Crossing the bridge strengthened my resolve to protect the right to vote at all costs. It is how we will change America, both today and in the future.

We don’t have any other choice. It’s up to us to make sure Congress does its job and passes federal protections for voting rights. Sign on now to let Congress know we can’t go on without protecting our rights >>

Thank you for raising your voice,

Terri Sewell