Atlanta, Georgia-area Unitarian Universalists march in support of voting rights

Photo by Richard Cohen

Two Unitarian Universalist ministers and members of metropolitan Atlanta congregations bearing their "And Justice for All" banners were part of the Keep the Vote commemorative march held this past Saturday, August 6th. An estimated 20,000 people marched down Atlanta's Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in an event organized by the Rev. Jesse Jackson to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act. The one mile walk from downtown Atlanta to the stadium of Morris Brown College, an historic Black university, was led by Rev. Jackson, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, singer Willie Nelson and other celebrities.

"This march was notable and hopeful in its large numbers of young people and families," observed Rev. Marti Keller, who was the minister and chaplain for this year's Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Freedom Summer civil rights workcamp last month. Keller and Rev. Dr. Paula Gable, associate minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, organized the UU contingent.

One reason for the selection of Atlanta for this large national march was the passage of a bill in the Georgia Legislature last session requiring voters to show state issued drivers licenses or identification cards at the polls. Previously, there were 17 acceptable means of proving identification. Under the existing Voting Rights Act section 5, which must be reauthorized by 2007, any change in voting laws in Georgia and eight other Southern states is subject to federal approval. Opponents of the new law believe that this measure will put unnecessary barriers in the way of elderly, disabled, poor and voters of color, who are less likely to drive or hold identification cards.

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