Vice President Kamala Harris makes impact at Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Sunday's Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma, 57 years after "Bloody Sunday," March 7,1965. (Shane Dunaway / Selma Times-Journal)
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Selma about 1 p.m. Sunday under a convoy of state and federal law enforcement.
An overflow crowd on Broad Street and Water Avenue fought off a bright sun and heavy winds to witness the vice president attend the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. Harris tapped on the window of her vehicle, flashing her hand to the crowd with a smile.
Three hours later, Harris’ booming voice delivered a powerful message about voting rights. The crowd was excited about Harris, the first female African American and Indian American vice president.
“It’s a privilege to honor so many American heroes,” Harris said. “It’s an honor to be here with families of John Lewis and Martin Luther King. Freedom and democracy can’t be taken away from any of us. We must fight together to secure our nation and move our nation forward.’’
Harris acknowledged several civil rights foot soldiers, including Amelia Boynton, Dr. Charles Lafayette and F.D. Reese.
Before Harris spoke, President Joe Biden issued a statement on the anniversary that marked “Bloody Sunday” on March 7, 1965. Biden spoke about passing both the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.
“My administration will continue implementing my executive order to promote voter participation, increase access to the ballot and rally the country to protect voting rights and election integrity,” Biden said. “Vice President Harris, marching in Selma, will continue to lead this effort.
“The U.S. Justice Department has doubled its voting rights enforcement staff to stop discriminatory voting laws as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 empowered it to do. And I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to strengthen our democracy and keep alive the promise of America for all Americans,” Biden said in the statement. “The battle for the soul of America has many fronts. The right to vote is the most fundamental.”
This story originally was published by The Selma Times-Journal.
