Rockford MLK Day event, put on by NAACP chapter, to focus on voting rights in America

ROCKFORD — The Rockford NAACP will be holding a Facebook Live event Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on the right to vote and the ongoing battles being fought today.

The event, held in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, will feature former NAACP Field Director Jerome Reide, a Michigan-based attorney and civil rights advocate.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 7, at least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting.

"It feels like my kids are going to have to fight the same fight my dad did," said Jay Ware, a Rockford activist and local NAACP member.

"People are trying to pass civil rights legislation (such as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Protecting our Democracy Act), and it's hard to do. It's 2022, and we might not even get an actual majority."

More: Rockford NAACP chapter president Rhonda Greer Robinson wins re-election, sets 2021 goals

State Rep. Maurice West II, D-Rockford, also fears history may be repeating itself, noting how King organized activists to bring attention to the various tactics such as tests, intimidation, harassment and outright assault to keep people of color from voting.

It was through King's leadership and the Civil Rights Movement that pressure was placed on Congress to end such practices by passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

"While we have made some strides to ensure voting right over the past 60 years, we continue to face challenges as in recent years some state legislatures have passed laws to decrease access to convenient and safe voting options and instituted regulations that act as barriers for people of color," West said.

More: Gov. Pritzker signs vote-by-mail expansion

West said he was proud to be the chief House sponsor of legislation in Illinois that makes voting by mail easier, establishes universal voting centers in all counties and makes the 2022 General Election a state holiday among other voter-friendly initiatives.

"We must embrace Dr. King’s example and continue to work towards ensuring that all people have access to vote," he said.

The NAACP's virtual event to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday and can be accessed by visiting the group's Facebook page.

Chris Green: cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford NAACP to discuss voting rights in honor of MLK Jr.