Honoring Selma 50 Years Later

Dear Friend, 

Fifty years ago, civil rights activists set out to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to ensure that every American can exercise their right to vote. This past weekend, my youngest son, Jonathan, and I joined President Obama and thousands from across the country to pay tribute to civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., Congressman John Lewis, and countless others who risked their lives for the right to vote and secured the passage of the monumental Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

As we see some states chip away at these fundamental rights and as we continue the ongoing conversation—and struggle—around race in this country, remembering our not-so-distant past will help us do better for our children. 

After our trip, I held an interfaith community conversation in Meriden with faith leaders from across central and northwest Connecticut. Here’s what the Meriden Record-Journal had to say about our event:  

“U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, wasted no time taking the lessons learned over the weekend in Selma, Alabama, back home to stimulate ideas for improved democracy and equal opportunity.” 

Read the entire article and share with me how you think we can best honor the 50th anniversary of Selma and the Voting Rights Act.

Sign up for my telephone town hall on Wednesday!

I’ll be hosting a live phone chat this upcoming Wednesday, March 18, at 7:30 PM to discuss recent updates in Congress, take your questions, and hear your feedback. Register here to make sure you’re on the call. You can also live streamthe call that night.


As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email or call me at 860-223-8412 with your questions, concerns, or if there’s anything I can do to help you and your family. I can only do my job effectively if I hear from you. To find out more about my work in Congress, check out my official Facebook page or follow me on Twitter. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth Esty 
Member of Congress

*Photo caption: Here’s a photo I took in Selma as we were preparing to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. I was very moved by the words of President Obama and civil rights leader and marcher, Congressman John Lewis.

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Submitted by Westport, CT

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