The public is invited to attend the press conference for the 53rd anniversary of the signing of the National Voting Rights Act that at the foot of the Edmund Pettis Bridge on Monday at 11 a.m.

Historian and tour guide for the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute Sam Walker said he is passionate about the signing of the Voting Rights Act, viewing its anniversary as important for the entire community.

Walker said the purpose of the press conference is to inform the public on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, and activities to commemorate the act.

“Back in 2013, the Supreme Court stripped away the heart of the Voting Rights Act when they ruled away the protection of Section 5 of the act,” Walker said.

Section 5 embargoes certain jurisdictions from making any change that effects voting without receiving preapproval from the U.S. Attorney General or U.S. District Court for D.C.

“We have been trying to engage the public in activities to highlight the importance of section 5 and that we want section 5 to be restored,” Walker said.

Activities that have been conducted include reenacting the Selma to Montgomery March and travelling from Selma to Washington D.C.

Along with Walker, some of the city board members will also be present during the press conference. According to Walker, they share the passion for the importance of the Voting Rights Act.

“We want the public to spend time with us during the press conference and we also invite them to come and tour the Voting Rights Museum on the press conference is over,” Walker said. “There are still many people who have never been to the Voting Rights Museum, and I think it is very important for people to know what we are doing all of this for.”