Leaders mark anniversary of 1965 Voting Rights Act

YOUNGSTOWN — It’s been more than four decades since a president’s stroke of a pen converted landmark voting-rights legislation into law.

Today, it’s vital that people remember the countless sacrifices made to ensure the voting process worked more fairly — and to resist letting complacency and apathy keep them from exercising their democratic right, several city officials and community leaders said during a brief ceremony today in city hall to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Aug. 6, 1965, signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The law “in effect ended discrimination and disenfranchisement regarding blacks’ being able to vote,” noted Mayor Jay Williams.

Williams cited having been elected as the city’s first black mayor as well as the election of President Barack Obama as examples of the law’s impact.

For the complete story, see Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com