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Louisiana Lawmakers Advance Bill Honoring Shreveport Civil Rights Leaders
Proposed legislation would recognize the contributions of Reverend Harry Blake Sr. and Virginia Green Evans.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:25am
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A somber tribute to Louisiana's civil rights pioneers, whose legacies continue to inspire new generations of activists.Shreveport TodayLouisiana lawmakers have filed over 20 bills this legislative session related to the regulation of artificial intelligence, with the business lobby arguing that any new rules would be bad for business. However, lawmakers are also moving forward with a bill to honor two prominent Shreveport civil rights icons, Reverend Harry Blake Sr. and Virginia Green Evans, for their decades of work fighting for racial equality and justice.
Why it matters
The clash between AI regulation and business interests highlights the ongoing tension in Louisiana between economic priorities and social justice issues. Meanwhile, the bill honoring the Shreveport civil rights leaders represents an effort to recognize the state's history of activism and the individuals who risked much to advance the cause of civil rights.
The details
The proposed legislation to honor Reverend Blake and Ms. Evans would designate a portion of Interstate 49 in Shreveport as the "Reverend Harry Blake Sr. and Virginia Green Evans Memorial Highway." Reverend Blake was a longtime pastor and civil rights leader who organized boycotts and demonstrations against segregation, while Ms. Evans was a community organizer who fought for voting rights and racial integration.
- The Louisiana legislative session is currently underway.
- The bill honoring Reverend Blake and Ms. Evans was filed in early March 2026.
The players
Reverend Harry Blake Sr.
A prominent Shreveport civil rights leader who organized boycotts and demonstrations against segregation for decades.
Virginia Green Evans
A Shreveport community organizer who fought for voting rights and racial integration in the city.
What’s next
The bill honoring Reverend Blake and Ms. Evans still needs to pass both chambers of the Louisiana legislature and be signed into law by the governor.
The takeaway
As Louisiana lawmakers grapple with the competing priorities of AI regulation and business interests, they are also taking steps to recognize the state's civil rights history and the individuals who risked much to advance the cause of racial equality.
