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| Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill touted Voter ID at Selma Service |
For those who don't know the shameful, sordid history of Bloody Sunday let's recap.
On March 7, 1965, African-Americans seeking voting rights launched a march across the bridge en route to Montgomery but were attacked by police. That violent episode became known as "Bloody Sunday."For or some reason Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill thought the church honoring the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday at historic Brown Chapel in Selma was the perfect time and place to rub the Voter ID law in the faces of the attendees.
"We want to make sure that every eligible U.S. citizen that is a resident of Alabama is registered to vote and has a photo ID so they can participate in the electoral process at they level that they want to participate," Merrill said.Liar Liar sheet on fire! EYE guess we are supposed to forget about how after passing the Voter ID Bill, our Governor closed most of the DMV's in the black belt before the 2016 election and that it was proven to be racially motivated after the election.
"Based on its investigation, DOT has concluded that African Americans residing in the Black Belt region of Alabama disproportionately underserved by ALEA's driver licensing services, causing a disparate and adverse impact on the basis of race," the department said.EYE guess we are supposed to forget John Merrill said and threatened to do this:
"If you’re too sorry or lazy to get up off of your rear and to go register to vote, or to register electronically, and then to go vote, then you don’t deserve that privilege," Merrill said.Enough about the political duplicity of John Merrill, he's who/what we thought he is. EYE want to know whose big bright idea it was to invite him to speak at Brown Chapel in the first place? That's like inviting the fox into the hen house. Note some people walked out on Merrill, not ALL people.
He then lashed out at criticism of Alabama's registration process and threatened to prosecute a filmmaker who described registering to vote in the state as "complex and complicated."
Merrill threatened to prosecute Brian Jenkins if he was registered in two states, even though Jenkins never claimed to be registered in Alabama.
Multiple spectators called out in opposition several times of having a photo ID including in the voting process. Many walked out of the church service while Merrill was still talking including NAACP president Dr. William Barber, according to WFSA.Psst! Congresswoman Terri Sewell and other leaders asking for respect and peace, your calls for unity, respect and peace are divisive and a pile of manure. There can be no unity, respect, and peace with people who hate us for our freedom. That is like asking a rape victim to unite and respect their rapist. You should have joined Rev. Barber and the others who walked out on John Merrill. Do the people from North Carolina need to come down here and give y'all lessons on leadership, courage, and conviction?
"Standing on this historic ground, where people died for voting rights, we cannot accept this hypocrisy of voter suppression," Barber said.
The service continued, despite the moments of tension, with Congresswoman Terri Sewell calling for unity and activism and other leaders asking for respect and peace.
We the people are tired of politicians who have style but no substance. EYE want some real leadership. If you are scared just say you are scared and move over and let those who aren't scared takeover.
