On February 20, 2026, civil rights activists in Georgia gathered in Atlanta to mark the anniversary of historic voting rights legislation and to call for greater protections for voters in the state. The event, organized by various grassroots organizations, drew a diverse crowd of supporters who are concerned about the state of democracy in Georgia.The anniversary holds special significance this year, as many activists feel that voting rights in Georgia are under attack. In 2021, the state passed a controversial voting law that civil rights advocates argue disproportionately impacts communities of color. The law, which included restrictions on mail-in voting and early voting hours, was seen by many as an attempt to suppress the voting rights of minority voters.Speakers at the rally highlighted the importance of protecting the hard-won voting rights of all Georgians. Rev. John Lewis, a prominent civil rights leader and former congressman, spoke passionately about the need to ensure that everyone has equal access to the ballot box."We cannot allow the gains of the past to be undone," Rev. Lewis said. "We must continue to fight for the right of every Georgian to participate in our democracy."Other speakers at the rally included representatives from organizations such as the NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center, who emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance in the face of ongoing threats to voting rights. They called on lawmakers in Georgia to pass legislation that protects and expands access to the ballot for all eligible voters.The rally also featured musical performances, voter registration booths, and a march to the state capitol building. Participants carried signs reading "Voting Rights are Human Rights" and "Protect Our Democracy," underscoring the message of the event.As the anniversary of historic voting rights legislation was marked in Georgia, civil rights activists made it clear that the fight for voting rights is far from over. They vowed to continue advocating for policies that protect the rights of all voters and ensure that democracy remains robust in Georgia and across the country.