With Voting Rights Under Attack Across the Country, Veterans Steven Tillett and Pete Smith Lead Commemoration of 1965 "Bloody Sunday" Civil Rights March
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
As efforts to complete mid-cycle congressional redistricting in Maryland stall, two veterans running for office in Anne Arundel County — Steve Tillett and Pete Smith — led a rally in Annapolis on Saturday, March 7, commemorating the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
On March 7, 1965, civil rights leader and future congressman John Lewis led a march for voting rights across Selma, Alabama’s Edmund Pettus Bridge. The peaceful demonstration ended in brutal violence when Alabama state troopers attacked marchers with clubs and tear gas. Images of the assault shocked the nation and the world, becoming a turning point in the civil rights movement and helping spur passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Tillett, who supports mid-cycle congressional redistricting to counter newly drawn maps in Republican-led states, said the rally was a reminder that the fight for voting rights is ongoing.
“This administration is making every effort to roll back our voting and civil rights,” Tillett said. “I defended this country as a member of our armed forces. I can’t and won’t sit back as a veteran, pastor, and member of this community and do nothing. Mid-cycle redistricting is the most important voting rights movement taking place in our country right now. We have to balance the scales for every American, and that fight starts with getting this right in Maryland.”
Smith, who recently received a major endorsement from the national advocacy group VoteVets, said a new generation must step forward to defend the rights secured by earlier civil rights activists.
“I’m working to make sure the rights of every American are protected,” Smith said. “That’s why I’m here helping lead this march. As a veteran and as a sitting councilman, I believe this fight for voting rights is too important for anyone to be quiet about. My children are watching. This is a no-fail mission, and we cannot let the generation that follows us down.”
Maryland’s effort to enact mid-cycle redistricting has stalled in the state Senate, where some lawmakers — including Pam Beidle who represents the Russett area — have declined to support the legislation.
The proposal has the backing of Governor Wes Moore, former Russett representative and current House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Delegate Mike Rogers, and Russett community advocate Devin Tucker.
Organizers estimate roughly 200 people participated in Saturday’s march in Annapolis. In comparison, approximately 600 people joined the original Selma march on Bloody Sunday in 1965.
