Thousands of Mississippians marched in protest on Wednesday, May 20, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision weakening the Voting Rights Act, a move that has sparked state legislatures across the South to break up majority-Black districts. The protestors marched from the Mississippi War Memorial building, past the Old Capitol Museum and Mississippi State Capitol to the Jackson Convention Complex.
Here are some photos from the protest.
Several hundred voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders march through downtown Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in protest of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting the Voting Rights Act and legislative redistricting. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisProtestors marched from the Mississippi War Memorial by the Old Capitol building past the current Mississippi Capitol Building to the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in protest of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting the Voting Rights Act and legislative redistricting. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisDemocratic U.S. House Rep. Bennie Thompson speaks during a voting rights rally at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisHundreds of voting rights activists brought signs, shirts and slogans to the march protesting recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Jackson, Miss., on May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisBrad ‘Kamikaze’ Franklin, a Mississippi multimedia host and rap artist performs before several hundred voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders in a rally inside the Mississippi War Memorial Building in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisSeveral hundred voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders march past the Mississippi State Capitol in downtown Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in protest of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting the Voting Rights Act and legislative redistricting. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisA woman claps during a rally at the Mississippi War Memorial Building, protesting recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting voting rights in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisU.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., left, is applauded by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., as he addresses voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders at a rally in the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in protest of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting the Voting Rights Act and legislative redistricting. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisWaikinya J.S. Clanton, center wearing black, laughs as Mississippi multimedia host and rap artist Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin, performs in front of several hundred voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders at a rally inside the Mississippi War Memorial Building in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis Mississippi State Rep. Bryant Clark, D-Pickens, addresses voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders at a rally in the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisOleta Garrett Fitzgerald, Director of the Children’s Defense Fund’s Southern Regional Office, addresses voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders at a rally in the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisReena Evers-Everette, executive director of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, addresses voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders at a rally in the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis Credit: Rogelio V. SolisA young voter holds a sign during a voting rights and civil rights rally at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisTennessee House Rep. Justin Jones addresses voting rights advocates and civil rights leaders at a rally in the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. SolisVoting rights advocate sports a shirt bearing the booking photographs of civil rights leaders during a rally in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in protest of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting the Voting Rights Act and legislative redistricting. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Rogelio V. Solis is Mississippi Free Press’ new senior photojournalist. A veteran journalist, Solis most recently served 28 years as the staff photographer with the Jackson bureau of The Associated Press.
BHFN Editorial Team covers breaking news, culture, and global developments impacting Black America, Africa, Kenya, and the African diaspora. Focused on timely reporting and community-driven perspectives, the team delivers news, analysis, and stories that inform, connect, and amplify diverse voices.