Savannah Protesters Rally Against Voting Rights Act Ruling and Map Redraws

Gathering at the intersection of Gwinnett Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard was particularly appropriate, said Rep. Anne Allen Westbrook, speaking into a mic under the hot Savannah sun Saturday afternoon. His words had been on her mind lately.

“Dr. King had a quote for everything, right?” Westbrook said. “The ones on my heart today are, 'We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, bound and tied in a single garment of destiny.'”

We, in this instance, Westbrook said, refers to the people of Savannah, of Chatham County, and of Georgia. Around 30 people were gathered there Saturday afternoon, some with signs, some wandering in when they saw the set up, for the All Roads Lead South rally, a day of action focused on protecting the vote. It was planned in accordance with a rally of nearly 100 faith and voting rights leaders gathering in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama to protest the recent Supreme Court decision that they argue weakened a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The ruling on April 29 effectively gutted the landmark civil-rights era law that prohibited racial discrimination in voting. Legislators in other states have rushed to redraw congressional maps, and on June 17 the Georgia state legislature will meet for a special session to redraw the U.S. Congress, state House, and state Senate maps.

“This recent decision is going to make it harder for Black Georgians when they vote,” Westbrook said, “...to actually have their influence at the ballot box felt, felt in their own lives, their community, felt in Georgia more broadly. It’s going to silence their voices, and it’s going to thwart their ability to shape the democracy they created."

Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) member District 2 Alicia Johnson (D) also spoke, as well as Rev. Thurmond Neill Tillman, Campaign Manager for Georgia Conservation Voters Chassidy Malloy and more.

Key Issues at the Rally

• Impact of the Supreme Court Ruling: The recent decision has raised concerns about the potential dilution of voting rights, especially for minority communities.
• Redrawing of Voting Districts: Georgia lawmakers are preparing for a special session where they may redraw voting districts, which could affect representation.
• Election Dates: The primary elections are set for Tuesday, May 19, adding urgency to the discussions around voting rights.

Political Responses

Georgia lawmakers to hold special session, may redraw voting districts
Georgia primaries election day is May 19. Here's how to vote

Separately, Democratic Candidate for Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms held an event at Front Porch Comedy, as part of the tour she launched Wednesday to roll out her plan for a new Voting Rights Act in Georgia. Bottoms is the front-runner in the Democratic primary race for governor.

“There are a number ot things that we can do to address what we can,” Bottoms said. “But the reality is, we’ve got to flip the house, and at some point, flip the Senate. We don’t know what’s going to happen during that special session, but I think we are all wise and brace ourselves for the very worst.”

Bottoms added that if elected, she would veto any map that is presented before her that would dilute the representation of minorities in the state. If a map is redrawn and approved before she’s sworn into office, “we’re going to have to fight it out in the courts,” she said.

Proposed Solutions

Bottoms also said her team rolled out a comprehensive plan to protect voting rights, including establishing a state-level voting rights law.

“We want to extend IDs that can be accepted, legitimate IDs that can be accepted to register to vote,” Bottoms said. “Same day voter registration, but we’re going to try and continue to flip these down ballot seats and races, so that we can finally get control back of the legislature.”

The primary elections are on Tuesday, May 19.

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News, covering the municipalities, and community and cultural programs. You can reach her at DAmbus@usatodayco.com