Marches For Voting Rights In Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo This Sunday

There are marches for voting rights going on in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo this weekend that will also be the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

Get our free mobile app

What is Bloody Sunday?

Bloody Sunday was a march held in Selma, Alabama where African-American citizens were peacefully protesting for their constitutional right to vote. State troopers and county posse men attacked the peaceful marchers with billy clubs and tear gas as they marched across the county line. The troopers and posse beat men and women. The event became known as Bloody Sunday.

Bloody Sunday truly paved the way for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is a shame that 57 years later things are not much better than they were in the 1960s.

Remembering Bloody Sunday

This Sunday is the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and protesters in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo will both have marches to commemorate the anniversary while protesting for present-day voting rights.

According to WOOD, this will be the first time The Greater Grand Rapids Branch of the NACCP will commemorate Bloody Sunday.

Marches in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo

The march in Grand Rapids Sunday will take place at the Blue Bridge downtown. This will be a peaceful march for voting rights and to commemorate Bloody Sunday. If you would like to show your support, gather at the Blue Bridge on March 6 at 1:30 p.m. If you are interested in becoming a partner or just want more information contact The Greater Grand Rapids NAACP at info@naacpgr.com or at 616.719.3478.

In Kalamazoo, the Galilee Baptist Church along with other groups will host their march at Riverview Drive and Paterson Street. The march will continue to the Douglass Community Association building at 1000 W. Patterson St. The march will begin at 1:30.

Goals of Voting Marches

Aside from commemorating Bloody Sunday, the goal of these marches is to encourage Congress to pass voting and election reform with the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

If you cannot make either march but still want to participate, you will be able to view in real-time both marches in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo at this location.