The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently announced its participation in the planned protest in Montgomery and Selma over the weekend to oppose a series of events that could allow Republicans to regain a congressional seat. However, the protest has not picked up much steam.
For two weeks, the state's political sights have been on the upcoming congressional election. The state held a special session last week after the 6-3 majority ruling in Louisiana v. Callias, in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that race-based gerrymandering was unconstitutional.
The legislature's actions in the special session compelled a special election if the Supreme Court removed the injunction against the banned maps, which it did on Monday.
The legislative action drew harsh condemnation from Democratic leaders and so-called voting-rights activists, who flooded the statehouse by bus to protest lawmakers' efforts.
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Activist groups swiftly acted, endeavoring to create a mass movement holding rallies in both Montgomery and Selma.
After the special election announcement, activist groups across the state announced plans to march, calling it "All Roads Lead to the South."
The ACLU announced on Friday that it was joining the fray, asking citizens to "join Black Voters Matter, partners, faith leaders, organizers, and community members from across the South." The much-publicized "No Kings" movement is also involved.
Despite the national outcry over the state's actions regarding the congressional maps, there have been few nationally renowned or popular commentators slated to attend.
Thus far, the state's two Democratic members of Congress, whose position has recently been put in jeopardy, U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) are scheduled to attend. Recently, the popular Atlanta-based Pastor Jamal Bryant and Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., announced plans to participate.
The event is slated to begin Saturday at 9 a.m. in Selma and end with a rally in Montgomery at 1:00 p.m.
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