Story and photos by Greg Miley, Speakin’ Out News staff writer/photographer
The ‘Lift Our Vote’ organization held a candlelight vigil to mark the first anniversary of the late United States Representative John Lewis on Saturday, July 17, 2021, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The event was held at Huntsville’s Brahan Spring Park, Pavilion Number 2.
The vigil was an opportunity to remember the works of the late Rep. John Lewis and remind the community to call on Congress to pass the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the D. C. Statehood Bill.
Mrs. Jessica Fortune Barker, the event coordinator, co-founder of Lift Our Vote, was a staffer for the late Rep. Lewis. Speakers at the event included Alabama NAACP President, Mr. Bernard Simelton, Huntsville-Madison County NAACP President Mr. Jerry Burnet, Mrs. Beulah Toney, one of the first registered African American voters in Madison County and a voter registration worker, Rev. Dr. Larry Davidson, President of the Greater Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship (GHIMF) and Pastor of Hopewell M. B. Church, Mrs. Kathy Jones, President of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, and others. During the event, those in attendance were asked to take their cellphones, go to the ‘Lift Our Vote’ webpage, and click on a link to verify them as active voters.
For more information on Lift Our Vote, their website is www.liftourvote.com.
