DeLauro salutes civil rights marchers on 50th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday'

NEW HAVEN - U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, released the following statement today marking the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.”

“I salute the extraordinary courage and commitment of those civil rights marchers who, 50 years ago today, marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, demanding their right to vote. All Americans owe them a debt of gratitude for pushing our nation to be a better place.

“A direct line can be drawn from ‘Bloody Sunday’ to the day the landmark Voting Rights Act was signed. That law has been responsible for most of the progress made towards outlawing discriminatory voting practices over the last 50 years. Unfortunately the Voting Rights Act is now under assault and its values are being dishonored. Congress must pass a revised, renewed, and strengthened Voting Rights Act this year to protect the most fundamental right of our democracy.”

In June 2013, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that invalidated a key section of the Voting Rights Act, significantly weakening it.

The decision struck down the formula used to determine if covered state and local governments are in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.


This is a press release from DeLauro's office.