Leaders demand a restoration of voting rights in Georgia

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson joined Dr. Joseph Lowery and Ambassador Andrew Young on Tuesday to appeal for a new south agenda.

Jackson called for measures to strengthen and expand the right to vote as we near the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

He also addressed the need for a Right to Vote Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and support for the Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Many Georgia Republicans believe the Voting Rights Act is no longer needed because Georgia has strong participation by African American voters.

The next generation of leaders like Martin King III, Michael Thurmond, and the Mayor Reed say they want the Justice Dept. supervision back in place.

They say they accept the challenge and understand the new battles.

“We have to fight on two fronts. We have to fight on the legal and intellectual front,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.