"America's Journey for Justice" Kicked Off in Selma Aug. 1

On Aug. 1, members of the NAACP, CWA and many other allies began the "America's Journey for Justice" march that will cover more than 860 miles and feature teach-ins in almost 40 locations between Selma, AL, and Washington, DC. Along the way, marchers are making it clear: "Our lives, our votes, our jobs, our schools matter."

The tour will conclude with a huge rally and an Advocacy Day on Wednesday, Sept. 16, in the nation's Capital; CWAers will be there in force. CWAers and other supporters from Roanoke, Va., through the Democracy Initiative, will be among those making the trip, to keep public attention on Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and his efforts to keep voting rights restoration legislation from ever getting to the House floor.

"Voting rights are under attack across the country," said Angie Wells, CWA North Carolina Legislative and Political Coordinator, who attended the opening ceremony in Selma and participated in the first 14 miles of the march. "It was an overwhelming feeling to follow in the footsteps of civil rights leaders in the march from Selma to Montgomery. CWA is at the forefront in the fight for voting right and social justice."

The first day of the Journey for Justice included a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of the March 7, 1965, events which came to be known as "Bloody Sunday" after civil rights activists were viciously attacked by police.

"We must enact a policy agenda that honors civil rights and social justice – this is our fight," CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings said at the start of the march. "Fifty years ago, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. Now, extremism and attacks on voting rights and registration have made it much more difficult for millions of Americans to vote," he said.

Left: CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings addresses participants at the march kickoff. Right: CWA members join allies and walk the opening miles of America's Journey for Justice march.

Marchers will participate in teach-ins, rallies and other actions as the Journey winds its way to Washington.

When the Journey marches through Charlotte, NC, on August 26, CWA will host a teach-in on voting rights featuring Rev. Dr. William Barber, head of the North Carolina NAACP and the unstoppable force behind the Moral Monday Movement; Chris Kennedy of the CWA Human Rights Department; and Tova Wang, CWA's Director of Democracy Programs.

Check out the calendar of events. 

RELATED: Read Linda Sutton's reflections on how CWA shaped her commitment to voting rights.