Hundreds of people gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Friday for the 2026 Defend the Vote March on Washington. Organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III, the rally focused on voting rights, racial justice, and immigration in anticipation of midterm elections.
The event followed the Supreme Court's April decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which reinterpreted provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. According to the Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, this marks the first time the group has marched since the Supreme Court nullified the voting rights bill.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., spoke at the event and characterized the current period as a dangerous moment in American history. Sanders attributed threats to voting rights to Republican President Donald Trump and the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, citing efforts to purge voter rolls, restrict mail-in and early voting, and redraw congressional districts.
The march included speakers such as Martin Luther King III, who stated that the work of the Civil Rights Movement is being further eroded following the April ruling. The event was co-hosted by the Drum Major Institute, a progressive think tank and community action group.
Legislators discussed the impact of redistricting on Black communities. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-La., stated that the court's decision to allow maps to be redrawn for partisan reasons has threatened the voices of Black families. Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., noted that the impact of the Louisiana ruling is likely to be felt throughout the country and may affect state and local legislative seats during the 2028 election cycle.
The rally occurred as organizations filed new legal claims against an executive order from President Donald Trump that seeks to restrict mail-in voting. While a federal judge in Boston temporarily halted the administration from moving forward with the order, the Supreme Court previously cleared a path for its possible implementation.
