Progressive Baptists’ Rally to Restore Voting Rights Act on June 25 in DC

WASHINGTON - June 11, 2015 - PRLog -- On Thursday, June 25, 2015 in Washington, D.C., leaders of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) will gather to urge Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act at a press conference to be held at the Martin Luther King Memorial at 11:00 a.m.

June 25 marks the two-year anniversary of the Shelby County vs. Holder Supreme Court decision that deemed unconstitutional the portion of the Voting Rights Act that was designed to prevent discrimination in voting. Dr. James C. Perkins, PNBC President, Dr. Raphael Warnock, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA., and other PNBC leaders will meet with representatives in Congress from all parties to urge support of voting rights restoration for all Americans. PNBC recently commended former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her comments to urge for universal and automatic voter registration.

According to Dr. Perkins, “The Supreme Court's decision turned the clock backward on our efforts to make our nation one of justice and liberty for all. We are taking our message directly to Capitol Hill to compel key lawmakers to stand up for the right to vote by ending voter suppression practices and voter ID laws.” The gathering is a first step in a major campaign to be launched by PNBC.

Restoring the Voting Rights Act will be the predominant focus of PNBC during its Annual Session in Dallas, TX from August 2-7, 2015, with a major event culminating on August 6. This year, 2015, marks the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is considered one of Dr. Martin Luther King's crowning achievements. PNBC was the convention-denominational home and platform for Dr. King, who addressed every PNBC Convention until his death in 1968.

The PNBC was founded in 1961 to give full voice, sterling leadership and active support to the American and world fight for human freedom. PNBC represents over 2,000 churches with an estimated United States membership of 1.5 million people. For more information on PNBC, go to www.pnbc.org or call 202-396-0558.

Media Contact:  Linda Peavy, LiPav Consulting at 216-262-1029, lpeavy@lipav.com,  @LindaPeavy (https://twitter.com/LindaPeavy)