Boston clergy, activists invoke MLK day to further push voting legislation

Boston clergy and voting rights advocates met on Sunday prior to Martin Luther King Jr. Day to push for the Voting Rights Act to be passed by a simple majority in Congress instead of being blocked by the Senate filibuster.

According to the Boston Herald, the bill will be moving to the Senate for a final vote. However, the Senate is currently engaged in a debate to amend or abolish the filibuster, which is blocking the bill from being passed.

A small gathering of about 30 people stood in front of Faneuil Hall to listen to the organizer’s pleas (Boston Globe). Many advocates across the country are taking up their emotional messages and urging Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act. 

Reverend Kevin Peterson of Metropolitan Baptist Church said at the event, “We would be embarrassed if we do not follow the legacy of John Lewis and pass the Voting Rights Bill in Congress so that every American can enjoy the right to vote. The symbolism of this push on Dr. King’s birthday is appropriate and quite frankly, it’s urgent. Nothing is more important, I would say, for Dr. King than for this bill to be enacted this week on his birthday.”

Many Democratic senators are in opposition of the Senate filibuster. Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-MS) said, “We must pass strong, comprehensive legislation to protect voting rights and to insulate elections from partisan subversion. Otherwise, we remain in default of Dr. King’s promissory note. We must act and 51 is a majority.”