Texans march on capital to protect voting rights – will Washington listen? | Voting rights in the United States

The slogans included “Protect Voting Rights”, “End the Filibuster” and “Say no to Jim Crow”.

Some had just completed a 27-mile walk from Georgetown to Austin for several days, praying with their feet in a desperate attempt to protect access to the vote. For hours, they withstood the scorching heat to gather around a coffin – a poetic nod to state lawmakers across the country who they say are trying to bury voting rights.

“When you look here today and you see thousands of people, and you look at the diversity of this crowd, this is America they’re afraid of,” exclaimed Rev. William J Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign.

The high-stakes protest reflected a historic march in 1965, when voting rights advocates risked their lives in Selma, Alabama, before the Voting Rights Act was passed. More than half a century later, a new generation of activists hope to protect and expand these victories.

“When you go out and leave the comforts of your home, and in this case, you put on your walking shoes and walk 30 miles in the middle of the Texan summer in central Texas – you say something through it. sacrifice and through this struggle, ”former US representative and presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke told The Guardian before taking part in the march.

Lawmakers introduced more than 400 restrictive voting bills in 49 states during the 2021 legislative cycle, but Texas has emerged as a key battleground in a voting rights war that will ultimately shape the U.S. electorate.

Its Republican leaders remain committed to passing laws that lawyers say will make it even more difficult to vote. So far, these efforts have been thwarted by a tidal wave of opposition.

“There are probably not many states, if any, that have such a dark history of voter suppression – violent voter suppression – as Texas,” O’Rourke said. “And yet, you know, maybe Texas really is helping us through this moment.”

Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled Texas legislature led the United States in new proposals that would restrict voter access, advancing provisions to ban round-the-clock and drive-thru voting, empowering partisan observers. polls and target mail voting.

At the rally on Saturday, Marilyn White said she was starting to panic.

“Texas is such a big state and there are so many electoral votes and so many seats in Congress,” she said. “So many votes that risk being manipulated or distorted.”

As Texans, religious leaders and politicians gave impassioned speeches, volunteers offered to register eligible voters on the capital’s crowded lawn. Yet even they could not ignore the culture of doubt and fear that permeates elections in Texas.

“A lot of people, when they arrive, worry about the recording because they fear they’ll make a mistake and do something that could cause them to get a ticket or go to jail,” said Julie Gilberg. , captain of Powered by People, an advocacy group.

“They’re not really sure their vote will count. “

Texas has the most restrictive voting processes in the United States. Critics fear other barriers disproportionately affect voters with disabilities and people of color. Many believe Republicans touting “electoral integrity” to justify policies are politically motivated, inspired by the rapidly changing demographics that threaten them at the polls.

“You have a lot of people here whose grandparents were effectively kept away from the ballot box, who themselves had problems trying to vote conveniently,” former US Secretary Julián Castro said.

“They understand that the proposed legislation will make matters worse, and they understand that this legislation was born out of cynicism and a seizure of power.”

Texas Democrats have twice foiled attempts to pass sweeping voting bills – first by leaving State House floor in May, then by fleeing to Washington last month. They were pushed and supported by activists, businesses and ordinary citizens, who raised funds, wrote letters and testified into the night.

Yet the champions of the franchise can only prevent legislation for so long. And although they met in the Texas capital on Saturday, they were effectively appealing to Washington, where federal voting protections have stalled in the US Senate.

“Mr. President, it is time to act,” said Barber. “Let me tell you something that you might not be used to hearing from a preacher, but you don’t have to have power if you’re not going to use it for good. “

Frustration has spread to the crowd, where Texans are fed up with their state officials demanding a response from the White House.

“I think President Biden can do a lot more,” said Tiffany Williams, an Air Force veteran who joined the march. “If you are trying to be for the people, come here and listen to us.”