On April of this year, we saw the biggest attack on black people's democratic rights since the end of Reconstruction and the implementation of Jim Crow. The Supreme Court voted against Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, severely weakening our ability to challenge racist redistricting of majority-black areas.

Soon after this, Republicans rushed to undermine black democratic rights within their own states. In Tennessee, less than 10 days after the Supreme Court decision, Republicans eliminated the only black district in Memphis. In Alabama, legislation passed the use of maps that were previously ruled to discriminate against black districts. In North Carolina, a black historical district was dismantled. In Texas, Missouri, and Mississippi they also advanced efforts at diluting black voting power.

There was also success on our part, however. In Georgia and South Carolina, massive mobilization efforts pressured the state leadership to reject the proposals by the Republicans. Progressive, liberal, and revolutionary grass root organizations came together, fought back, and managed to defend black political power.

However, it is not enough for us to play defense. The forces of white supremacy will continue their attacks on black political power until they can completely dismantle it. We must fight back to build Black political power to combat these attempts at dismantling the Voting Rights Act.

To that end, the Atlanta Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression will be hosting a regional assembly to bring together organizations from all over the South that are dedicated to the fight to not just defend but build Black political power. All Roads Lead to the South, and none of them should be closed down