Section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act is under attack, with opponents getting their day in court – the Supreme Court of the United States on Wednesday. The court will begin to hear the Shelby County v. Holder case that challenges the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act. Local leaders have scheduled a press conference for Wednesday morning at Dallas City Hall.
The Voting Rights Act remains a critical tool in the struggle for equal voting rights for African Americans, Latinos, and all minorities in the United States. Section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act requires that states with a history of discrimination secure approval, or “preclearance” of their voting changes by a federal court or the Department of Justice.
The press conferences are scheduled throughout the state on Wednesday. Dallas speakers voicing their support for the Voting Rights Act is scheduled to include:
- Rev. Gerald Britt, City Square
- Kelli Obazee, Dallas Peace Center
- Michael Graves, Texas Freedom Network
- Greisa Martinez, United We Dream
- Marco A Malagon, Co-founder and President, North Texas Dream Team
- Cheryl Pollman, National Council of Jewish Women
- Rosa Lopez, Vecinos Unidos
- Hector Flores, LULAC
- Rev. Peter Johnson, Peter Johnson Institute for Non-violence
- Domingo Garcia
