Commissioners announce 50th Voting Rights Act commemoration

On Thursday, August 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Auditorium, located at 1200 North Telegraph in Pontiac,  members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners will celebrate the landmark Voting Rights Act Legislation signed, on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. A special presentation during the Board’s meeting highlighting the Voting Rights Act’s 50th Anniversary will be featured.

Members of the Board will recall this extraordinary act that changed the discriminatory election processes established by local and state laws that served as barriers and denied black Americans their constitutional right to vote, despite the right being granted on February 3, 1870 with the ratification of the 15th Amendment. The amendment promised that the “right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.”

As a result of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, many strides have been made in the enfranchisement of black Americans, which has resulted in the election of black Americans to various levels of public office. Due to the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights legislation, many barriers for black Americans to obtain full rights as citizens in their nation, the United States of America, were challenged. By challenging unjust laws designed for blacks, gains were achieved, not only, for black Americans but other racial groups expanding the rights for women, the disabled and others in society guaranteeing their civil rights.

“I remember Dr. King and the marches that led up to the signing of this act by President Johnson. I remember the many brave men and women, young and old who strived to ensure that black Americans had the right to vote. I want to make certain that we never forget. I hope the public will come to commemorate with us. I am a direct beneficiary of the Voting Rights Act by having the opportunity to be elected to office which would not have been possible for me and so many others. I shudder to think what my life would be like, if this act did not exist. It helped to create a path for my American Dream,” stated Oakland County Commissioner Nancy Quarles, Commissioners Quarles, Janet Jackson, and David Bowman are sponsoring the special commemorative resolution which will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

They will note that 2015 marks significant milestones in history that includes the 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth and the 50th Anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery March for black American voting rights.
The public is invited to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

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