Shelby County challenged the constitutionality of sections 4b and 5 of the Voting Rights Act in 2010, arguing progress had been achieved since the act took effect.

The Supreme Court’s final ruling on the challenge in Shelby County v. Holder in June 2013 marked the end of a three-year process.

Simelton called the ruling “a devastating blow” for voting rights advocates rallying against disenfranchisement, and said the march and rally in June will “draw the nation’s attention to the disappointment we have in the Supreme Court’s decision” and the Legislature’s refusal to draft an amendment that would provide preclearance for Alabama and other states.

“The right to vote should be a fundamental right,” Simelton said.

Alejandro Guizar, Central Alabama Regional Organizer with the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, also voiced his support of the NAACP’s efforts during the May 12 press conference.

“This is an issue that crosses race, culture and age,” Guizar said. “We’ll be here supporting each other. We want our right to vote back.”

The summit will take place June 19 in Calera, followed by the march and rally at the Shelby County Courthouse on June 20 and multi-congregational worship message on June 21.

Event speakers will include Hilary Shelton, director of NAACP Washington Bureau, Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy; Jerome Gray, former field director of the Alabama Democratic Conference; and Marcia Johnson-Blanco, co-director of the Voting Rights Project.