Rep. Chu Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of “Bloody Sunday”

Washington, D.C. – Fifty years ago today, civil and voting rights activists marched into Selma, Alabama to call for the right to vote. When the marchers crossed the Edmund Pettis Bridge, they were attacked by Alabama State troopers, with clubs, whips, and tear gas. Many of the marchers were seriously injured. That day, known as “Bloody Sunday,” marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act shortly thereafter. In honor of this historic anniversary, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement:

“Today we honor the courage and leadership of the hundreds of civil rights marchers that helped bring America out of one of its darkest periods. In the face of violence, prejudice, and hate, these marchers risked their lives to simply demand their fundamental right to vote. And thanks to their courage, the landmark Voting Rights Act (VRA) became law just five months later, outlawing discriminatory voting practices across America.

“Today, half a century later, this progress is under attack. With the recent rollback of voting protections in the VRA by the Supreme Court’s Shelby v. Holder decision, we must pass legislation that restores the VRA and not let the sacrifices of Bloody Sunday’s marches go in vane. And although de jure segregation is outlawed, our country still faces growing inequality and extreme racial disparities in all aspects of our society. This is why we must remain committed to the cause of equality for all – the promise of America that moved those marchers to brave violence for the sake of our democracy. We are indebted to them. And while we honor their efforts, we must also mirror them if we are to bend the arc of history even slightly more towards justice.”