This past weekend, Common Cause joined thousands in Selma, Alabama, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Selma Bridge Crossing—a moment that forever changed our democracy.

We walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, retracing the steps of the brave marchers who, in 1965, risked their lives for the right to vote. We learned from civil rights leaders, discussing the urgent fight for voting rights today. And we gathered with our partners from the NAACP, honoring those who paved the way while recommitting ourselves to the work ahead.

The Fight for Democracy Didn’t Start in 1776—It Began in Selma

In 1965, thousands marched for their freedom, knowing they might face brutality on the other side of that bridge. 

But they pressed forward anyway, refusing to let fear or doubt stop them. They walked 50 miles to Montgomery, demanding the right to vote—and they won. 

Their courage led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, securing protections that birthed the democracy we know today.

But this anniversary wasn’t just about looking back. It was a call to action.

Voting Rights Are Still Under Attack

The right to vote—what the marchers in Selma fought for—is under attack. Congress is once again considering the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a crucial bill to restore and strengthen voter protections, but Washington is gridlocked. 

While federal lawmakers stall, politicians in multiple states are actively working to suppress votes and undermine democracy.

We were reminded of these modern-day threats to democracy when we had the honor of hearing Patrick Braxton the first Black mayor of Newbern, Alabama. Braxton was elected unopposed in 2020—but white officials in the town refused to recognize his leadership.

They held secret meetings, installed an unelected mayor in his place, and locked him out of City Hall for three years. Thanks to persistent legal advocacy and public pressure, he was finally reinstated—but even now he continues to face resistance from a city council that refuses to acknowledge his authority.

This is voter suppression in its most blatant form. It’s a modern-day Jim Crow tactic designed to strip Black political power and silence the will of the voters. Braxton’s fight is not just about one town in Alabama—it’s about the broader struggle for democracy, fair representation, and racial justice across the country.

What Selma Teaches Us

Selma reminds us that the right to vote is both sacred and hard-won. It is not something we can take for granted. 

Time and again, history has shown that democracy is cyclical—gains are met with backlash, progress with resistance. But we have seen these attacks before, and we know how to fight back. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the legacy of those who marched before us to guide the way.

Now is the time to act—to organize, mobilize, and, as the late John Lewis said, get into good trouble. 

This moment in history demands our courage and commitment. When the fight for democracy gets hard, we cannot afford to retreat. Instead, we must dig deeper, stand firmer, and push forward with even greater resolve.

The forces working to suppress the vote and undermine democracy want us to feel powerless. 

But history proves that when we rise to the challenge, when we come together and refuse to back down, we win. Just like in Selma, the road ahead won’t be easy—but together, we will not stop until every voice is heard and every vote counts.