Monday, January 17 was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday commemorating the civil rights leader. On the holiday this year, King’s descendants led a march in D.C. calling on Congress to pass a voting rights bill. They hoped to spread awareness about the dangers posed to voting rights around the country. Some of the proposed bills included the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. These voting rights bills would protect voters from racial prejudice. Since the 2020 election, at least 19 states have passed restrictive voting laws, counting up to a total of 34 pieces of legislation across the country.
Martin Luther King III, his wife Andrea Waters King, and 13-year-old Yolanda Renee King, along with hundreds of activists and residents took part in the march. The recently reconstructed Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, where many walked upon during the march, was said to represent “President Biden’s and Congress’s ability to push through top priorities, such as the recently approved $1.2 trillion infrastructure law” according to the Washington Post.
“We need to make sure that everyone in this country can get to the polls, vote, and have their vote heard,” 53-year-old Lisa Meunier from Washington had said, who participated in the march.
U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris also encouraged the Senate to take action, cautioning that it would be challenging for many Americans to take part in voting if efforts were made to impede voting in some states. “Our freedom to vote is under assault,” Harris stated.
Unfortunately, the majority of Republicans in the Senate opposed the bill, leaving the Senate split 50-50. In order to surmount the opposing votes from the Republicans, President Joe Biden went to the Capitol and attempted to persuade senators to change the chamber’s filibuster rule that requires 60 senators to agree on most legislation at minimum. However, Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema persisted in their objections to the pieces of legislation.
“Last week, the president said he’s tired of being quiet about voting rights,” said Martin Luther King III. “Well, we’re tired of being patient.”
Article written by Qwyen Le of Cabin John Middle School
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons