FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2002
Contact: Kathryn Bowden
334-834-5495
MARION – Speakers will bring a message of constitutional reform
to this Black Belt community, where African-Americans once saw their
voting rights disappear under the present state charter.
A rally on Oct. 16 will focus on writing a new state
constitution to replace the 1901 version, which has now been amended
713 times. The rally, free to the public, will begin at 10:30 a.m.
in the auditorium at Judson College.
A barbecue lunch will follow at noon, along with a workshop
on constitutional issues.
Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform is joining
Judson College, the City of Marion, and local community leaders in
presenting the event. Thomas Corts, president of Samford University
and chairman of ACCR, will be among the speakers. Joining him will
be Wayne Flynt, a professor of history at Auburn University and a
prolific author on Alabama subjects.
Other speakers will include Philip White, mayor of Uniontown;
Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins of Hale County; Mary Cosby Moore, Marion
city clerk; Rev. Gregory Bentley of Tuscaloosa; and Rev. Lawrence
Wofford of Selma.
Dr. David Potts, president of Judson College, and Edward
Daniel, mayor of Marion, will be hosts for the event.
The speakers will explain the history of the 1901 Alabama
constitution, particularly how it deprived blacks and many poor whites
of the right to vote. Other topics will include expansion of local
democracy, the importance of reform to students, the religious imperative
for reform and ways for citizens to get involved.
After the rally, Bailey Thomson, associate professor of journalism
at the University of Alabama, will lead a workshop designed to train
speakers l Montgomery, Alabama 36101
Phone: (334) 834-5495 l Fax: (334) 834-5497, email www.constitutionalreform.org
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