Voting rights in the United States: "They're trying not to tell us we can't vote"
Audio 01:21
About 20,000 people gathered in Washington, according to organizers, to defend the minority vote on August 28, 2021. AP - Jose Luis Magana
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
In the United States, this Saturday August 28 marked the 58th anniversary of the Civil Rights March.
On this occasion, many gatherings are held in some 40 cities across the country, including the federal capital Washington DC.
Objective: to denounce the new electoral laws passed in the states controlled by the Republicans.
Reporting.
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With our correspondent in New York,
Alexis Guilleux
After a parade in the federal capital, demonstrators gathered in front of the Capitol to denounce restrictive laws that specifically target minorities.
The date of these gatherings, here in Washington and in forty other cities, was not chosen at random: it was August 28, 1963 that in front of nearly 250,000 people, Martin Luther King had launched "
I have a dream
”, in a speech that has become a reference in the struggle for civil rights.
Ashley Sharpton, is part of the National Action Network, one of the largest civil rights associations.
"
They try not to tell us that we cannot vote
," she protests.
They are trying to tell us that we should not vote.
They openly say that they will do anything to prevent us from voting.
And they show us all that they understand and fear the power of our vote.
"
400 laws
Reinforcement of voter identification, extended restrictions on early and postal voting. Organizers denounce 400 laws or bills in 48 states. Georgia,
Florida
, or more recently
Texas
have adopted texts in this direction under the pretext of wanting to strengthen the security of the vote.
So this day of mobilization is also an opportunity to put pressure on the US Senate.
Two texts to protect the right to vote at the federal level are pending.
"
We say in the US Senate, the subject is not the color of skin, it is to know what is right or not,
launches the Reverend James Dixon, from Houston.
And we urge President Biden to use his strength and muscles to push through these texts.
"
But the future of these two texts in the Senate remains uncertain.
Ten elected Republicans would need to vote alongside the
Democrats
for them to be adopted.
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