Cleaver, Sharpton, Lewis Meet on Voter Protection

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Voter Protection Efforts. Rev. Al Sharpton was seen on Capitol Hill last Tuesday after meeting with CBC Chair Emanuel Cleaver and Rep. John Lewis regarding voter suppression. In what should be good news for advocates against a bunch of new laws making it more difficult for people to vote, both Cleaver and Sharpton have events planned around the first weekend in March.  The Congressional Black Caucus is planning a multi-city voter protection tour and Rev. Sharpton is planning a 4 day march (see map below) beginning on Sunday, March 4th and ending on Friday, March 9th.  The details are on the National Action Network site.  Sharpton will broadcast from the march that week. It is unknown if CBC members will be able to attend because Congress is in session that week.

The weekend of Sharpon’s Selma to Montgomery march is the same weekend as the annual Faith and Politics Civil Rights Pilgrimage.  About 100 members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, attend the event every year — led by CBC member and Civil Rights icon John Lewis of Georgia.

From the Faith and Politics site: The 2012 Congressional Civil Rights pilgrimage to Alabama will take place March 2 – 4, 2012.This year marks the 47th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, one of the most pivotal events of the Civil Rights Movement. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) once again serves as the Pilgrimage Chairman and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-GA) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) serve as honorary co-leaders. congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Martha Roby (R-AL) serve as honorary co-hosts. This three-day passage through living history demonstrates the powerful role spirituality and courage played in shaping our nation’s history. More than 150 members of Congress have joined the Faith & Politics Institute on this memorable and momentous journey, described by many as one of the most valuable experiences they have gad while in Congress. For more information about the 12th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage, contact our staff at (202) 546-1299. For PRESS information, please contact Curtis L. Baxter III (curtis@faithandpolitics.org).

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