‘People died for the right to vote’: Alabama ruling sparks concern ahead of Juneteenth

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - The Supreme Court handed Alabama Republicans a win this week, allowing the state to use a congressional map that a lower court said intentionally discriminates against Black voters.

For people in southeast Alabama, the ruling hits close to home as Dothan begins its Juneteenth celebrations.

Rutha Mae Harris has been singing about freedom for decades. As an original Freedom Singer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, she helped fuel a movement.

“We told the story of the Civil Rights Movement through song,” Harris said.

Harris traveled the country, using spiritual, gospel and protest songs to organize support and document the struggles of Black Americans during the Jim Crow era.

“The songs help us from being afraid. You know that you might be murdered. You might be hit. You might be fire hosed. So you’re not going to let anything turn you around, because you have a goal that you’re trying to reach,” Harris said.

Voting rights at stake

Harris feels that goal — the right to vote — is at the heart of the Supreme Court’s latest decision to allow Alabama to use a congressional map favoring Republicans, blocking a lower court ruling that found the plan intentionally discriminates against Black voters.

“People died so that we might have the right to vote. And it’s a shame that we still happen to fight for our rights today, 2026,” Harris said.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall backs the Supreme Court’s decision as lawful under the Voting Rights Act.

Civil rights historian Richard Bailey and licensed counselor Dr. Tamara Fleming, speakers at the Civil and Voting Rights Act Seminar, say protecting civil rights history is their main focus.

“It’s important to maintain history in all of its accuracy. If we do not remember history, we are in grave danger of repeating it,” said Evangeline Reynolds-Gunn, executive director of Tri-State Expo Juneteenth Affairs.

“I think it’s super important to open dialogue about our history and how that history and our collective experience affected us not only individually but collectively as a people,” Fleming said.

Understanding that collective impact starts with open dialogue and a safe space, Fleming said.

Harris agrees.

“So we have to continue to fight. We can’t give up now. Just go vote. That’s all I can say. Go vote,” Harris said.

The Tri-State Expo Juneteenth Affairs continues its weekend festivities with a Juneteenth parade in Dothan on Saturday at 10 a.m.

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