On the morning of June 17, 2026, faith leaders and voting rights advocates from across Georgia gathered at Big Bethel AME Church — Atlanta’s oldest Black church — for the Pilgrimage for Voting Rights as part of a larger series of civil actions called the South Got Somethin’ to Say. These events were organized in response to Governor Brian Kemp ordering a special legislative session to redraw Georgia’s congressional and legislative maps, a move many feared would disenfranchise Black and brown voters.
Unitarian Universalists from around the state joined the rally and march, including the Rev. Dave Dunn from UUMAN and Rev. Taryn Strauss from UUCA. Barbara Stahnke spoke on behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Georgia Legislative Action Network (UUGALAN), calling on participants to reject legislators who ask us to “wait and see” when communities are being harmed by unfair gerrymandering. She closed by expressing UUGALAN’s pride in standing with the coalition until fair districts and fair elections are won for every Georgian.
The pilgrimage was strategic and symbolic: hundreds of Georgia voters, clergy, activists, and organizers then departed Big Bethel and marched toward the capitol in unison. The peaceful procession of more than 200 people moved through the streets chanting and singing, with many songs led by Singing Resistance ATL. Marchers then united with the NAACP for a Caravan Day of Action at the capitol.
In a stunning development, less than one hour before the special session was scheduled to begin, House Speaker Jon Burns announced that Georgia Republicans would not be taking up congressional or legislative redistricting during the special session. Voting rights leaders celebrated the announcement as a win for the people of Georgia, while also warning that Republicans were likely merely delaying the fight until after the November elections, when the political fallout might be less severe.
UUGALAN will continue to monitor legislation from this now-concluded special session and watch closely as next year’s regular legislative session approaches. The redistricting threat has not passed — it has only been deferred. As election deniers work to restructure a voting system that may not be broken, at significant taxpayer expense, the work of building a Georgia where every voice counts the same — regardless of zip code, skin color, or party — remains urgent. We are grateful to everyone who showed up on June 17th, and we will keep showing up alongside our coalition partners until that work is done.
The Pilgrimage Events at Bethel AME and at the Capitol on 6/17/26
Opening Remarks from the Minister of Bethel AME.
Video of UUGALAN remarks at the Opening Worship
Leslie and Barbara preparing to step off for the Pilgrimage 6/17/26