Days Of Action In Framingham, Worcester On MLK Day 2022

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Demonstrators from across the region will gather in separate events in Framingham and Worcester on Monday to celebrate the work of Martin Luther King Jr. by pushing for voting reforms.

The two local events are part of demonstrations planned across the nation to highlight the need to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The U.S. House passed the laws on Thursday, which have been combined into the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.

But the reforms next have to pass the U.S. Senate, which is divided 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans. The bill needs 60 votes to pass due to the filibuster rule, which Democratic U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are unwillingly to help colleagues override. Senate Republicans have said they are broadly against the package of voting reforms.

The bill expands voting access by creating requirements around early voting, online voter registration and voter registration on Election Day, among other provisions.

"We need to send a message to our leaders: no celebration without legislation," the organizers of the Framingham event said.

The Framingham event will also include voter registration, free rapid COVID-19 tests kits, and free N95 and KN95 masks, according to organizers.

Here's where and when you can attend a demonstration on Monday:

• Framingham — Jan. 17, Noon to 4 p.m., at the corner of Route 126 and Route 135 (Irving and Waverly streets)
• Worcester — Jan. 16, 1 to 2 p.m., Institute Park near the corner of Park Avenue and Salisbury Street