Washington (March 7, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statment on the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

“Sixty years ago, fearless men and women marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, knowing they would face violence but refusing to turn back. Their courage in the face of brutal violence forced this nation to confront its own hypocrisy and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We honor indomitable leaders like John Lewis and Amelia Boynton Robinson, who bled for justice and never stopped marching and fighting for freedom. Their sacrifice paved the way for progress, but our work is far from finished.

"As we commemorate this historic day, we must recognize that voter suppression, racial injustice, and political division still threaten the democracy so many generations fought to secure. We must recommit ourselves to passing strong voting rights protections beginning with the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure every American can freely and fairly participate in our electoral system. We must fight against the forces that seek to erase history, restrict rights, and divide our nation.

"The march for justice did not end in Selma—it continues today. Honoring the legacy of Bloody Sunday means not only remembering the past but taking bold action to build a more just and equitable future for all.”

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