On this day in Black history, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was born 56 years ago, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
It was passed during the civil rights movement and secured for Black Americans the right to cast ballots free of discrimination. Additionally, the legislation was meant to reinforce the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution, following rampant voter suppression for decades by states and local governments.
However, in 2013, the Supreme Court got rid of a key provision of the Voting Rights Act which required states with the most egregious record of voting discrimination to get permission from federal officials before introducing any voting changes.
There have been protests and demonstrations to get rid of voting restrictions and to get the John Lewis Voting Rights Act passed in Congress. Even though it is the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the fight for voting rights continues.
All this and more on “Prime.”
To watch BNC programming, visit https://bnc.tv/how-to-watch/
Follow BNC on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BNCNews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BNCNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bncnews/?hl=en
#VotingRightsAct #BlackHistory #LyndonBJohnson
Be the first to comment