On Sunday, March 7th, U.S. President Joe Biden made an emotional speech in Selma, Alabama to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the historic civil rights march that occurred in the city in 1965. Biden addressed a crowd of about 150 people and declared that voting rights are still “under assault” in the country.
“We can’t go back. This is a new day,” said Biden. “We can’t go back to the days of Jim Crow. We can’t go backward. We have to go forward.” He added that the future of the nation is “inextricably linked to our ability to protect the sacred right to vote.”
The president spoke of the importance of the 1965 march, which was known as “Bloody Sunday.” He described the courage of the activists who marched, saying that they “were willing to risk their lives for something that was so fundamental to our democracy and to our union.” Biden also noted the progress that has been made in the past 56 years, pointing to the fact that African Americans now hold high positions in government.
However, he warned that the fight for voting rights is far from over. Biden pointed to a number of restrictive laws that have been passed in recent years and called for them to be overturned. He urged citizens to stay vigilant in the fight for equality and justice and to remember the legacy of those who marched in Selma all those years ago.
“We must be prepared to march on,” said Biden. “To march on until every American, no matter their race or gender, no matter their income or zip code, no matter their disability or sexual orientation, can have full and equal access to the franchise.”
Biden’s speech was met with a standing ovation, and it served as a reminder that the fight for voting rights is far from over. As he said, the legacy of those who marched in Selma must be remembered and their courage must be honored by continuing the fight for justice and equality.