#TalkRadio – March 5: Return To The Bridge: Historic Senate Hearing in Montgomery, TJC Presence in Selma, & Vice President Harris’ Groundbreaking Remarks

SPEAKERS:

Edward Ward: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time
TJC Alumni and Fellow; Restorative Justice Policy Advocate; and, a Youth Crisis Interventionist

Andres Cubillos: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM ET
TJC Alumni and Fellow; Andres Cubillos is a Campus Organizer and Graduate of Florida State University. In 2020 Andres and the Student PIRGs team at Florida State University increased FSU’s voter registration rate to 90.3% and youth voter turnout to 76%. Now, Andres works with a variety of organizations on community issues including Students Demand Action, the Student PIRGs, Campus Vote Project,  and the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition. Instagram: Andres.Cubillos_ ; Twitter/X: Andres_Cub20

Rev. Mark Thompson: 12:35 PM – 12:45 PM Eastern Time
Host, Make It Plain Podcast; Member of the Board for Selma Jubilee; Personal Twitter/X: @ministter; Podcast Twitter/X: @makeitplain; website and full bio: makeitplain.com

INTRODUCTION:

The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled, “Return To The Bridge: Historic Senate Hearing in Montgomery, Transformative Justice Coalition Presence in Selma, & Vice President Harris’ Groundbreaking Remarks”, will be live with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and feature special guests Andres Cubillos, Edward Ward, and The Rev. Mark Thompson.

Today is Super Tuesday and Igniting Change reminds all registered voters to vote in the primary elections in 16 states. “Today is Super Tuesday, the biggest day nationwide for primary elections and caucuses before Election Day itself. Voters in 16 states and one territory — American Samoa — will make their presidential preferences known. For decades, the results of Super Tuesday have determined the ultimate nominees. More than a third of delegates are up for grabs in a single day. Voting is taking place across multiple states and time zones today. Polls close throughout the night, though full results could take days or even weeks. Voters are also weighing in on House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates. Here are some of the biggest down-ballot races.” “Republicans are holding primaries in the following states:

• Alabama

• Arkansas

• California

• Colorado

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• North Carolina

• Oklahoma

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Vermont

• Virginia

Republicans are holding caucuses in the following states:

• Alaska

• Utah

Democrats are holding primaries in the following states:

• Alabama

• Arkansas

• California

• Colorado

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• North Carolina

• Oklahoma

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Vermont

• Virginia

Democrats are holding caucuses in the following the [sic] U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa’s Democratic caucuses was entirely by mail beginning in January and will be releasing its results on March 5, to comply with the Democratic National Committee’s calendar.”

This year marked the 59th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday where 600 voting rights marchers were viciously beaten at the Edmund-Pettus Bridge during an attempted march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Our national consciousness has been rooted in the bravery of the then 25-year old John Lewis; the amazing Amelia Boynton; and, so many others who were senselessly beaten that day. Their bravery led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

For the third time in a row TJC sponsored a day-long voting rights series the Saturday prior to the reenactment of the March across the Edmund-Pettus Bridge. A prime feature of the Voting Rights Series was the Gen Z Luncheon which featured a panel composed of TJC Alumni discussing current issues of voting rights for Gen Zers and the lessons of Selma.

The TJC Voting Rights Panel Series was entitled “The Voting Rights Battle Continues” and its central themes were to encourage the passage of the Freedom To Vote Act & the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. All the events took place at the George Wallace Community College (3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy, Selma, Alabama) on Saturday, March 2nd , 2024 and all workshops were free and open to the public, including the free lunch at the Gen Z Luncheon. The Voting Rights Panel Series consisted of the following workshops:

• Workshop # 1 “We Got Now! Ain’t Goin’ let Nobody Turn Me`Round: Protecting the GenZ & College Student Votel”, which took place during the Gen Z Luncheon.

• Workshop # 2 “Cruel & Unusual Punishment: Voter Restoration Correction Now”

• Workshop # 3 “We Will Fight Back as We Move Forward to An Inclusive & Just Multiracial Democracy: Organizing for Organizers”

Prior to the reenactment of the Selma-to-Montgomery March, Vice President Harris gave remarks.

TJC also welcomed the Senate Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution Field Hearing, chaired by Senator Laphonza R. Butler. The March 1st Field Hearing was held at the Montgomery Interpretive Center at Alabama State University (an HBCU) during the Selma Jubilee Weekend. The Field Hearing focused on racial discrimination in voting in Alabama and the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This Field Hearing was historic because the day before the Senate introduced the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Never in history has a voting rights bill been introduced in Congress and a hearing held the next day. More hearings are scheduled to be held at Capitol Hill on March 12th.

As we head into the 2024 elections, the right to vote for millions of US citizens is under vicious attack. Fortunately, this attack is being addressed in both the litigation and legislative arenas.

QUESTIONS:

[Barbara and Daryl will remind voters that there are primary elections today: Today is Super Tuesday and Igniting Change reminds all registered voters to vote in the primary elections in 16 states. “Today is Super Tuesday, the biggest day nationwide for primary elections and caucuses before Election Day itself. Voters in 16 states and one territory — American Samoa — will make their presidential preferences known. For decades, the results of Super Tuesday have determined the ultimate nominees. More than a third of delegates are up for grabs in a single day. Voting is taking place across multiple states and time zones today. Polls close throughout the night, though full results could take days or even weeks. Voters are also weighing in on House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates. Here are some of the biggest down-ballot races.” “Republicans are holding primaries in the following states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• Virginia

Republicans are holding caucuses in the following states:

• Alaska
• Utah

Democrats are holding primaries in the following states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia

Democrats are holding caucuses in the following the [sic] U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa’s Democratic caucuses was entirely by mail beginning in January and will be releasing its results on March 5, to comply with the Democratic National Committee’s calendar.”]

Edward, what did it mean to you to be in Selma, Alabama for the first time for the Jubilee?

[From Daryl to Barbara] Barbara, this Jubilee weekend was unique in that the U.S. Senate held a Field Hearing, led by Senator Laphonza R. Butler, who chairs the Senate Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution Field Hearing. The Field Hearing focused on racial discrimination in voting in Alabama and the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Why was this Field Hearing historic?

• What was significant about this Hearing?
• Why does the country need the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act?
• What is the Freedom To Vote Act and why is it also needed?
• Edward, you led a team of TJC Fellows in distributing materials including our John Lewis t-shirts, John Lewis vote buttons, and over 1,000 placards. Tell us about how the Selma attendees reacted to these giveaways.
• Andres, what did it mean to you to be in Selma, Alabama for the first time for the Jubilee?
• Mark, as a Member of the Board of the Selma Jubilee, what are your thoughts about this year’s Jubilee and why should people start planning now for the upcoming 60th Selma Jubilee in 2025?
• Mark, how did you feel about Vice President Harris’ Remarks?
• Mark, Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?
• What were your favorite highlights of the Selma Jubilee weekend?
• What do you think is the most important grassroots organizing that you think needs to happen in order to ensure strong voter protection and engagement in November 2024?
• What are your final thoughts to our listeners?
• Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?