Bridge walk to commemorate voting rights march

Students from Cape Henlopen High School and its Multi-faith Youth Group are organizing the John Lewis Indian River Inlet Bridge Walk, to be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, March 7.

This nonpartisan, youth-led walk across the Indian River Inlet bridge will mark the anniversary of the 1965 walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge led by members of the civil rights movement including the late Rep. Lewis in Selma, Ala., on the same date to protest voter suppression. The walk was part of the effort that ultimately led to passage of the 1966 Voting Rights Act. 





"This idea was born after a group of multi-faith teens viewed the documentary ‘Good Trouble’ based on John Lewis' extraordinary life in public service," said Rylie Maedler, one of the walk organizers.  "Although much progress has been made since the ‘60s, we are still walking for full equality, to end voter suppression and preserve our democracy." 

The students have been meeting since January under the direction of Dr. Joel Simon, Cape guidance counselor, to plan the walk. They are supported by a number of community organizations including Seaside Jewish Community, Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, Sussex County League of Women Voters, CAMP Rehoboth, Women’s March Sussex, Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Islamic Society of Central Delaware, Pacem In Terris, and Epworth, Faith and Israel United Methodist churches.  



Due to COVID-19 restrictions, participants will be fully masked and practice social distancing. The number of registrants will be capped at 250.

To register, go to eventbrite.com and search Bridge Walk honoring John Lewis. Only registered participants will be permitted to march that day.