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“Fifty years ago, women and men of all ages, members of the clergy from various faiths, and citizens from around the country – including Congressman John Lewis who was a leader of the original marches – marched to win voting rights for African Americans. Undaunted by the 50-mile distance from Selma to Montgomery, they focused on closing the distance between what was inconceivable to violent police forces and inevitable to peaceful marchers: the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“It was my honor to join Republicans and Democrats at the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the 50th anniversary of this historic day. We must continue to honor the marchers of 1965 with our actions today.
“Our journey to justice continues as we address new challenges to the right to vote and seek to ensure that all lives are valued. Each of us has a responsibility to push back against the pernicious and pervasive efforts to hamper access to the ballot box in places across our country. Congress must pass a renewed Voting Rights Act, correct the Supreme Court’s decision weakening this landmark legislation, and protect the voting rights of all citizens.”
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