Freedom Ride for Voter Rights Rolls Towards Washington D.C.

Rallies held in Atlanta and other cities
In what is billed as "The blackest bus in America" voter rights advocates and stopping in key cities to engage residents about their rights and the needs of their communities. The tour is expected to reach Washington DC Saturday to encourage lawmakers to pass major voting rights legislation.
Voter rights advocates (l-r) Crystal Greer, Hannah Gebresilassie, and Britt Jones-Chukura are shown outside the Freedom Ride bus in Columbia SC. Photo credit Protect the Vote GA

Monday Atlanta, today Columbia S.C. The Freedom Ride for Voter Rights continues towards Washington D.C.

Crystal Greer, co-founder of a grassroots social justice advocacy group, is among those making the trip to the nation's Capitol.

According to Greer "We started Project the Vote GA during the legislative session when we saw an overwhelming amount of voter suppression bills in response to our historic voter turnout."

Greer, along with fellow co-founders Hannah Gebresilassie, and Britt Jones-Chukura, are participating in the Freedom Ride for Voter Rights. The effort spearheaded by the Black Voters Matter Fund is holding rallies in various cities as it rolls towards Washington D.C.

According to Black Voters Matter Fund, the Freedom Ride for Voting Rights comes as more than 40 states consider legislation to restrict voting rights, which would have a disproportionate impact on Black communities. In addition to voter outreach and engagement, the bus tour will raise awareness about this harmful legislation and empower communities to combat restrictions to early voting, absentee ballots, and other important reforms
Black Voters Matter Fund co-founders LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright attend Monday's rally at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. GA. Photo credit Maria Boynton/Audacy

Greer, Gebresilassie, and Jones-Chukura were at Tuesday's rally in Columbia, S.C. and Monday's rally in Atlanta.  Held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Monday's event featured various speakers including Congressman Hank Johnson  and activist Tamika Mallory.

Activist Tamika Mallory told those assembled at a voters rights rally in Atlanta Monday that "going backwards is not an option" when it comes to securing voter rights in America.
Activist/Rapper Mysonne watches as Tamika Mallory addresses attendees at Monday's Voter Rights rally at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Photo credit Maria Boynton/Audacy

Mallory told the hundreds gathered in the courtyard outside Ebenezer not to to think of their time at the rally "as some leisurely moment where you came out to hear some speeches. You are actually on the front lines of this movement and your showing up here today says that we don't ask for change, we don't ask for our rights, we don't ask for freedom, that we are demanding it and dammit we won't go back, we will ensure that you either you come with us or we will drag you down the road because we will achieve what we need in this country."

According to Black Voters Matter Fund co-founders Cliff Albright and LaTosha Brown, the Freedom Ride is a "national education and outreach campaign to increase support for voting rights legislation, advocate for D.C. statehood, and build lack voting power. The stops are to rally with partner organizations and concerned citizens and discuss the issues impacting their communities."

Over the next three days, the bus is expected to make stops in Raleigh NC, Charleston WV, and Richmond VA. It's expected to arrive in Washington DC on Saturday.

According to Greer, "We are participating in the tour because we understand that what is happening in Georgia is also happening to other Black voters across the country.  It was important for us to join forces with BVM and other grassroots organizations in D.C. to add pressure on lawmakers to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on the federal level and end the sweeping voter restrictive legislation."

Featured Image Photo Credit: Protect the Vote GA