Civil Rights Groups Urge Action on John Lewis Voting Rights Act Anniversary

On the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, civil rights leaders and lawmakers are calling for the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to combat modern-day voter suppression. Representative Terri Sewell has reintroduced the bill, which aims to restore protections from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and requires states with a history of voting rights violations to obtain federal approval before changing voting laws. The act addresses the surge in restrictive voting measures, with over 300 bills proposed recently to limit access to the ballot. Sewell emphasized that the fight for voting rights remains critical, citing the Supreme Court's 2013 decision that weakened federal oversight. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has garnered support from all House Democrats and more than 140 organizations, seeking to honor the legacy of civil rights activists like John Lewis. The reintroduction of this legislation is seen as an urgent response to ongoing threats to voting rights in America.