Late giants of civil rights honored in Selma tribute

SELMA, Ala. — Activists who gathered virtually and in person to commemorate a pivotal day in the civil rights struggle that became known as Bloody Sunday called on people to continue the fight for voting rights as they also honored giants of the civil rights movement, including the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who died last year.

The Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee marked the 56th anniversary of Bloody Sunday — the day on March 7, 1965, that civil rights marchers were brutally beaten by law enforcement officers on Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge. Lewis, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the Rev. C.T. Vivian, and attorney Bruce Boynton were the late civil rights leaders honored on Sunday.

The day became a turning point in the fight for voting rights.

Many speakers throughout the day’s events emphasized the need for continued activism to protect voting access.

“Voter suppression is still alive and well,” said U.S. Rep. Teri Sewell, a Democrat who represents the 7th Congressional District which includes Selma.

Sewell spoke during a video that featured comments from activists, mayors, members of Congress and others about the historic anniversary. The event typically brings thousands of people to Selma. However, most of the events were held virtually this year because of the pandemic.

2 New York Democrats drop support for Cuomo

NEW YORK — The two top Democrats in New York’s legislature withdrew their support for Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday amid mounting allegations of sexual harassment and undercounting COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins became the first senior Democrat in the state to say the threeterm governor should resign. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stopped short of demanding that Cuomo quit but said in a statement that “it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York.”