On 61st Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Worries About the Future of Voting Rights and Calls to Action

March 10, 2026

Thousands gathered in Selma, Alabama this weekend to commemorate the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when state troopers violently attacked civil rights marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. The annual celebration took on added urgency as the Supreme Court deliberates a case that could significantly weaken provisions of the Voting Rights Act that ensure minority representation in congressional and local districts. Democratic leaders, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, spoke at the commemoration, warning that voting rights protections achieved through the original march are being eroded.

Who is affected

Black voters and other minority voters whose congressional representation could be diminished
Charles Mauldin, 78, a Bloody Sunday marcher who was beaten during the 1965 march
U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, whose Alabama district was redrawn to give Black voters greater representation and could be targeted for redistricting
Democratic candidates who benefit from majority Black and Latino districts
Republican-controlled states that may gain the ability to redraw district lines
The late Rev. Jesse Jackson (tribute held at the commemoration)
Civil rights leaders, tourists, and thousands of attendees at the weekend events

What action is being taken

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering a Louisiana case about the role of race in drawing congressional districts
Thousands gathered in Selma for commemorative events throughout the weekend
A commemorative march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge took place on Sunday
Democratic officeholders and civil rights leaders delivered speeches at various venues, including Tabernacle Baptist Church and a rally at the bridge
State law enforcement officers are protecting marchers during the commemoration

Why it matters

This anniversary matters because the Voting Rights Act, which emerged from the Bloody Sunday violence, dismantled critical barriers to voting for Black Americans in the Jim Crow South and has been foundational to ensuring minority representation in government. The pending Supreme Court decision could fundamentally reshape how congressional and local districts are drawn, potentially allowing states to eliminate majority-minority districts that give Black and Latino voters meaningful electoral power. If the Court rules to prohibit or limit the consideration of race in redistricting, it would represent a major rollback of protections won through the civil rights struggle, affecting democratic representation and political power for minority communities across the country.

What's next

Justices are expected to rule soon on the Louisiana redistricting case. Republican-controlled states could potentially redistrict and roll back majority Black and Latino districts if the Supreme Court ruling favors them. Speakers at the event urged continued political action, with references to the November midterm elections and looking ahead to the 2028 presidential race.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint