News4’s Darcy Spencer reported on the rally Saturday in support of D.C. statehood and voting rights efforts.
The group Black Voters Matter and more than 50 other organizations from across the United States held a demonstration on the National Mall on Saturday billed as the first national rally in support of D.C. statehood.
D.C. was the last stop on the Freedom Ride for Voting Rights, a nine-city, eight-day tour by Black Voters Matter.
The groups are working to build support for statehood and federal voting rights legislation.
“We deserve to create a future that reflects the values of Washingtonians,” one speaker said.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Black Voters Matter (BVM) and more than 50 civil rights, voter rights, and racial justice organizations hold the first-ever national rally in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2021, in support of D.C. statehood.
Local voting rights activists join a “Rally for D.C. Statehood,” the last stop of Black Voters Matter’s “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus tour, at the National Mall June 26, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Black Voters Matter (BVM) and more than 50 civil rights, voter rights, and racial justice organizations hold the first-ever national rally in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2021, in support of D.C. statehood.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (L) poses for a selfie with co-founder of Black Voters Matter Latosha Brown (R) during a “Rally for D.C. Statehood,” the last stop of BVM’s “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus tour, at the National Mall June 26, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Voting rights activists hold up fists and a sign that reads “It’s About Us” during a “Rally for D.C. Statehood,” the last stop of Black Voters Matter’s “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus tour, at the National Mall June 26, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland (C), one of the Freedom Riders who was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi in 1961, waits to be introduced during a “Rally for D.C. Statehood,” the last stop of Black Voters Matter’s “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus tour, at the National Mall June 26, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Union workers march to join Black Voters Matter (BVM) and more than 50 civil rights, voter rights, and racial justice organizations for the first-ever national rally at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2021, in support of D.C. statehood.
Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Black Voters Matter (BVM) and more than 50 civil rights, voter rights, and racial justice organizations hold the first-ever national rally in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2021, in support of D.C. statehood.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
As the U.S. Capitol is seen in the background, a black man passes by Black Voters Matter’s “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus during a “Rally for D.C. Statehood” at the National Mall June 26, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Mayor Muriel Bowser was among the speakers Saturday.
“Thank you for what you are doing to defend our democracy Freedom Riders! Our voting rights have been under attack in Washington, DC for 220 years. And I promise you this: We will not quit until we achieve full democracy – we will not stop until we get #DCstatehood,” she said in a tweet later Saturday.
Thank you for what you are doing to defend our democracy Freedom Riders! Our voting rights have been under attack in Washington, DC for 220 years. And I promise you this: We will not quit until we achieve full democracy – we will not stop until we get #DCstatehood. pic.twitter.com/4JA9WTKgnG
