'Selma' March Draws Thousands To Winston-Salem

Crowds of people braved the hot summer sun in Winston-Salem  to protest sweeping changes to the state's voting laws that includes a reduction in early hours. The march coincided with the start of a federal lawsuit that is getting national attention.

The march was dubbed “North Carolina is our Selma,” and much of the rhetoric harkened back to the early days of the civil rights era. Protestors said state leaders are trying to suppress minority voting. In court, attorneys for the state said the law is not discriminatory and treats all voters fairly.

Eric Ellison, chairman of Forsyth County's Democrats, says the point of the rally was not about who wins and loses elections, but making sure that everyone has a right to choose.

“This was a beautiful mosaic of a diverse community coming together to say ‘We won't stand for this.”

Winston-Salem police described the march as peaceful and said no arrests were made. They estimate that 3,500 people attended the rally.