Reply #7: Selma, AL: Selma Citizens Go to NOLA to Support Voting Rights – Remember [View All]

[autorank]

REMEMBER WHEN DEMOCRATS WERE DAMN PROUND OF BEING THE PARTY OF VOTING RIGHTS? I do and those were great times. Only the outright bigots opposed that. It was an honorable and popular position. No hesitation. Those were great times. The Selma March in the 60’s was a critical juncture for the civil righs movement. Hundreds took a serious beating to protest the lack of enfranchisement in Alabama.

Shuttle from Selma taking marchers to New Orleans

http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/articles/2006/04/02/news/local/news%202077.txt
By Cassandra Mickens
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 8:58 PM CST

The Dallas County New South Coalition, the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement and the Dallas County Democratic Conference have joined together to shuttle area residents to the Return, Vote and Rebuild March in New Orleans Saturday, April 1.

<snip>

The marchers will protest the Crescent City's April 22 mayoral election and Hurricane Katrina response. Black leaders seek to postpone the election, citing too many displaced black residents won't be able to cast their vote. On Monday, a federal judge refused to delay the election.

<snip>

Said Thomas, "The state of Alabama was in harm's way and damage was done, however, what happened in New Orleans is still above comprehension. They need our help today; we may need theirs tomorrow."

"It is my hope that evacuees who have made Selma their home, join this coalition in force and return to New Orleans to have their voices heard," Sanders said. "Selmians and citizens of the Black Belt, let's get on the bus."