Arizona civil rights leaders be a part of nationwide marches for voting rights laws | Arizona Information

By Jason Wilson Last updated Aug 28, 2021

PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – Civil rights activists say they want to protect your voting rights. They organized events in several states, including Arizona, and asked Congress to pass a law on voting rights. The leaders say they want lawmakers to stop bills that restrict voting access.

“This event is about getting to know Dr. Martin Luther King’s 58th Anniversary I Have a Dream Speech, but also the legacy of people like my grandfather, people like Warren Stewart Sr. and Lydia Guzman who fight for it, Dr. To make King’s birthday a public holiday in Arizona, ”said Alejandro Chavez, grandson of César Chavez.

He organized the March On For Voting Rights event for Arizona on Saturday morning. Hundreds of people gathered at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church to watch live broadcasts of marches across the country. Nobody marched in Phoenix because it was too hot, but some participants brought signs to show their support.

“Remind people that our voting rights are under attack like never before and we must stand up and defend our voting rights,” said Chavez. “These are things that affect blacks, browns, the poor, the disabled, the elderly and students, so everyone must come together to make sure we are defending our rights.”

Liz Shuler also attended the event. She is the first female president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. “The labor movement sees job and voting rights as one,” she said. “We are basically here to be in solidarity with the community, with the working people, to band together, to make sure our voices are heard at the ballot box, and to ensure that voting is accessible and available to all.”

For people trying to maintain social distance and stay away from the crowds, there was an opportunity to participate online. If you want to get involved in the movement, you can write PLEDGE to 89799.