NAACP Journey for Justice March to Come Through Franklin and Hart Counties

By M.J. Kneiser
The NAACP’s America’s Journey for Justice March is now in Georgia and will soon be coming through Franklin and Hart counties.
Thousands are expected to join the 860-mile march along the route which extends from Selma, Alabama to Washington, DC.
The march entered Georgia at West Point on Saturday and is currently making its way on this side of Atlanta.
“By Saturday, marchers will be in Lawrenceville and will then head up US29 into Athens, Danielsville and then into Franklin County,” said Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson Teri Pope.
It’s not known how many marchers will be taking part in the Madison/Franklin/Hart County legs, but Pope advises motorists should be prepared.
Pope said motorists are asked to exercise caution when traveling through the designated and approved routes for the marchers.
“G-DOT will be providing a rolling escort for the marchers with lane closures,” Pope said. “So there will be some congestion and delays as they are in the area. The length of that lane closure will change depending on the number of marchers, but we want people to be aware of the lane closures.”
On Monday, marchers will walk on US29 through Danielsville to about 8.5 miles past the roundabout where they will mark 180 miles from their start in Selma.
From there on Tuesday the 18th, marchers will continue on US19/GA8/the Royston Highway from Danielsville through Franklin Springs to Royston traveling over the Royston Bypass.
Royston Police Chief Donnie Boleman says he does not foresee any problems.
“We will have traffic delays, but officers will be primarily focusing on the safety of marchers and working the intersections, Boleman said. “They will also try to minimize the impact on traffic it is expected to have.”
From Royston, marchers will continue on GA8 through Eagle Grove into Hartwell on US 29 to the Savannah River bridge.
At the river and the Georgia/South Carolina State line marchers will mark 200 miles from the start of the March.
According to the NAACP Web site, as marchers pass through each state they will focus on one particular issue.
In Georgia the focus of the march will be Education Reform, where the NAACP wants to have the Voting Rights Act restored.
Along the way, they plan to hold what they refer to as “teach-ins.”
In South Carolina, the focus of the marchers will be criminal justice reform.