Bus riders to Montgomery retrace old steps while fighting a new fight
Activists retraced the steps of the historic 1965 voting rights march in Montgomery, Alabama, to renew their fight for voting rights. The rally was a response to a recent Supreme Court ruling that weakened protections for Black voters. Participants emphasized the importance of continuing the struggle for political representation and equality.
- ▪Keith Odom, a 62-year-old activist, joined dozens of others on a bus from Atlanta to Montgomery to commemorate the original march.
- ▪The recent Supreme Court ruling has led to redistricting efforts that make it harder for Black voters to elect representatives of their choice.
- ▪The rally was named 'All Roads Lead to the South' and marked the first mass organizing response to the court's decision.
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News Bus riders to Montgomery retrace old steps while fighting a new fight May 17, 202612:21 PM ET By The Associated Press A man sings a spirtual song during a voting rally, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Montgomery, Ala. Mike Stewart/AP hide caption toggle caption Mike Stewart/AP MONTGOMERY, Ala.— In 1965, Black Americans peacefully demonstrated for voting rights and were beaten by Alabama state troopers before returning two weeks later to complete their march under federal protection. Keith Odom was a toddler then. Now 62 years old, the union man and grandfather of three retraced some of their final steps. On Saturday, he came from Aiken, South Carolina, to Atlanta, where he joined several dozen other activists on two buses to Montgomery, Alabama.
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