What's happened
US Attorney General Merrick Garland and Vice President Kamala Harris are taking action to protect voting rights amidst sustained efforts to disenfranchise Black voters and weakening of the Voting Rights Act.
Why it matters
The ongoing attacks on voting rights in the US, particularly targeting Black voters, pose a significant threat to democracy. Efforts by Garland and Harris to reinforce the Voting Rights Act and boost voter turnout are crucial in safeguarding the right to vote for all eligible citizens.
What the papers say
The Biden administration, through Vice President Harris, is partnering with voting rights groups to counter GOP voting restrictions. US Attorney General Garland warns of disenfranchisement efforts and weakening of the Voting Rights Act, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to protect voting rights for Black Americans and people of color.
How we got here
The 1965 Voting Rights Act was a landmark legislation passed to protect voting rights, particularly for Black Americans. However, recent court decisions and legislative measures have undermined the Act, leading to increased disenfranchisement efforts. The annual commemoration of 'Bloody Sunday' in Selma, Alabama, serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for voting rights in the US.
More on these topics
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The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law by U.S president Lyndon B.
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.