‘They may draw racist maps, but we are the south’: thousands rally in Alabama for Black voting rights

Thousands gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, on Saturday for the "All Roads Lead to the South" rally to protest recent Supreme Court decisions that have weakened protections against voting discrimination. The rally, organized by civic engagement groups, took place at the Alabama state capitol, a site historically significant for voting rights marches. Speakers, including elected officials and activists, mobilized attendees to counter Republican-led states' efforts to redraw voting maps in ways that could diminish Black political power. The event drew participants from across the country, with satellite events held nationwide, emphasizing a continued commitment to voting rights advocacy.

Thousands are rallying in Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, to protest the dismantling of congressional districts that have secured Black political representation. This mobilization comes in response to recent Supreme Court rulings that have weakened voting rights protections, allowing conservative states to alter district maps. Activists argue this represents a coordinated attack on Black political power. The rallies are taking place in Selma and at the state Capitol, echoing the historical significance of these locations for the Civil Rights Movement. The dispute over redistricting is exemplified by Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, where a federal court previously mandated a map to increase Black voting power, a decision now being challenged.