March on Washington-We March Again
Fifty-eight years ago, 250,000 people gathered in Washington DC to protest the continued marginalization of black people in America. One hundred years since the Emancipation Proclamation, black people still faced high levels of unemployment, poor job mobility, systematic disenfranchisement, and racial segregation. In 1940, only 3 percent of voting-age black men and women were registered to vote.
The march was called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, as it was a combined effort between leaders coined the Big Six —Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, John Lewis, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young. They were the leaders of six different leading civil rights groups. The iconic “I Have Dream” speech was delivered by MLK in addition to so many other historic speeches, including the one delivered by John Lewis.
The march was successful in many ways. First, it captured America’s attention. Then, along with continued efforts, it led to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and the 24th Amendment, which outlawed poll taxes, ratified in 1964.
While progress was made and we pay incredible honor to those that paved the way for civil rights laws, systemic racism continues to plague our nation with police brutality, inequalities in education, healthcare, wealth, and employment.
In 2013 the Supreme Court gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act with conservatives in the majority. In Shelby County v. Holder, by a 5-4 majority, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had an outdated formula to determine which states had to follow the rules regarding pre-clearance.
Fast-forward and voter suppression legislation is on the rise in our nation with this critical legislation gutted. These laws are in direct response to the enormous voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election. They are 21st century Jim Crow targeting black voters.
This Saturday, the 28th, we rise again, exactly 58 years from the March on Washington. Over 140 organizations have partnered to lead the March On for Voting Rights. The march calls for the restoration of voting rights, DC statehood, the end of the filibuster, a 15 dollar minimum wage, and reparations, among many other causes.
Rideshare2Vote takes voters that would otherwise be disenfranchised by their lack of transportation. Our riders are vulnerable to anti-voter legislation and need voting rights protections. Rideshare2Vote stands with all marchers and firmly believes in the cause. We will be participating in marches across the country.
by Betsy Zalinski
