Local Groups Continue To Fight For Civil Rights
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Some may say Alabama has come a long way since the Voting Rights Act was signed into law in 1965, but others say the fight for civil rights is far from over. We may be in 2015, but in the midst of this month’s 50th Anniversary of the Selma To Montgomery March, local leaders and groups are speaking out the work that’s left to do. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference says it thought it wouldn’t have a need to exist after all this time. But SCLC members say they’re still going strong. And much work remains to be done, especially on voting rights. “Section 5 — basically you’re talking about the heart you’re talking about taking the federal government out on preclearance,” Said SCLC President, Charles Steele. That Pre-Clearance used to force Alabama state leaders and those from some other states to get U.S. Justice Department approval before making changes in the election system. Civil rights activist Faya Rose Toure says the act must be restored to it’s original entirety so that the federal government can continue to watch over Alabama’s election practices. “Whatever it takes to get voter protection for all Americans that’s what we’re fighting for,” Said Toure. The SCLC isn’t the only one concerned with the future of Alabama’s Civil Rights — the Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a federal lawsuit against Judicial Correction Services, a private probation company in Clanton on a separate issue. “Rather than looking out for justice and fairness there instead of looking out to make a buck. And that has to stop,” Said SPLC Staff Attorney, Sam Brooke. Brooke says the company violates federal racketeering laws by extorting money from low-income Alabamians, threatening them with jail time if they fall behind on paying fines from traffic violations… “What we have to do is see within Alabama and across the country that courts whatever the level whether they are the US Supreme Court for the local municipal court treat everyone fairly and with respect,” Said Brooke. By the way we’ve reached out to the Judicial Correction Services, we’ve not received a call back. Both the SCLC and SPLC say these conversations couldn’t have been more timely. As the eyes of the nation are in Alabama. Both groups say they hope bringing these civil rights liberties to light now could lead to change in the future. The SCLC plans to march tomorrow to the capitol. They’re inviting anyone to meet in front of Calhoun Foods off Fairview Avenue at 11 am.
