US activists, politicians rally on anniversary of civil rights march

Demonstrations are taking place as the US Supreme Court considers a Louisiana case that could limit the role of race in drawing congressional districts and thereby curtail a provision of the Voting Rights Act that has helped ensure some congressional and local districts are configured so minority voters can elect their candidate of choice.

“US activists, politicians rally on anniversary of civil rights march The US Supreme Court is considering a case that could limit the ability of minority voters to elect their chosen candidates, spurring protests Sixty-one years after state troopers attacked Civil Rights marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, thousands are gathering in the Alabama city this weekend, amid new concerns about the future of the Voting Rights Act”

South China Morning Post

Justices are expected to rule soon on the case, and protesters say the outcome could have sweeping consequences for minority representation.

South China Morning Post

Democratic officeholders, civil rights leaders and others have descended on the southern city to pay homage to the pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement.

They have also issued calls to action, and organisers urged attendees to keep pressing forward like the original marchers.

South China Morning Post

The article notes that a ruling that prohibits or limits the role of race in redistricting could open the door for Republican-controlled states to redistrict and roll back majority Black and Latino districts that tend to favour Democrats.