Alabama grassroots organizers to hold press conference in solidarity with other states across the South, D.C. around voting rights, equitable representation

Grassroots organizers and advocates from across Alabama will gather in Montgomery on Oct. 4, for an Alabama Power On The Line Democracy Day press conference on the day of the Milligan v. Merrill Supreme Court oral arguments to raise awareness around the fight for voting rights and the need for equitable representation.

 

Power on the Line is a pro-democracy social movement for fair maps and equitable representation.

 

Eventgoers will have the opportunity to learn:

• The historical context around the fight for voting rights in Alabama;

• What impact gutting Section 2 of the VRA would have on grassroots organizers’ goals for the next decade and why VRA is crucial to expanding democracy;

• A look at how different SCOTUS decisions in Milligan v. Merrill will impact Alabamians for years to come;

• Why we must fight for more than the right to vote, but also equitable representation and for our votes to have more power;

• How does equitable representation impact Alabamians’ quality of life?

 

Speakers will include:

• Dr. Howard Robinson, Alabama State University;

• Jerome Dees, SPLC Action Fund;

• Pastor Kenneth Dukes, Alabama NAACP;

• Dr. Adia Winfrey, Transform Alabama; and,

• Camille Bennett, Project Say Something

 

“Exercising our right to vote is crucial, but fair representation goes beyond casting a ballot. District lines determine who is on the ballots we cast, a key element of our democracy. Unfortunately, our elected officials in Montgomery decided to create district maps that do not offer fair representation to Black Alabamians,” said Winfrey. “This is why I initially signed on as a Milligan v. Merrill plaintiff. While I have since come off the case, my commitment to fair representation and support of the plaintiffs has not waivered. It is time for all those who believe in democracy, particularly Black Alabamians, to stand in support of the Milligan v. Merrill plaintiffs, because all Alabamians deserve fair representation.”

 

In the Milligan case, the plaintiffs argue that under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, Alabama’s Congressional map should feature two majority-minority districts.

 

The lawsuit was brought before a panel of three federal judges that agreed with the plaintiffs. The federal court ordered the state of Alabama to draw new maps, but instead, the state appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The court agreed to hear oral arguments on Oct. 4, with a decision announced in 2023.

 

The fate of VRA Section 2  and future voting rights legislation is at stake in this case. It is essential that the Supreme Court uphold and affirm the Voting Rights Act. VRA was important to Democracy 60 years ago and it’s still as important today.

 

“As an organizer and the founder of an organization that has an emphasis on equitable public policy, fair mapping is extremely important to us,” said Bennett. “If we can’t get representatives in office that represent all the people — specifically black people— and care about policies that affect us. We do not have access to resources to lead healthy lives in this state. Not to mention that we see the impact of bad policies when we look at the infant mortality rate the maternal death rate, health care, Medicaid expansion, etc.”

 

The event will be held at the Montgomery Interpretive Center located on the campus of Alabama State University at 11 a.m. The Interpretive Center is part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, which commemorates the people, events and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama.

 

“It is good to collaborate with organizations that promote the right to vote. I am grateful for all the people who sacrificed so much for the equality in voting rights,” said Jorge Acevedo, partnership manager of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. “I hope people don’t take this right for granted  and if eligible to register and become active voters.”