On this day in history, the Selma to Montgomery march began, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with between 3,000 to 8,000 peaceful protestors crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The protestors were met with violence from a wall of police, resulting in tear gas and beatings. Despite the violence, the march continued, and the 54-mile journey to Montgomery was completed later that month, pushing for voting rights.
This weekend marks the 60th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” and ceremonies are being held in Selma to commemorate the event. The legacy of the march and the impact on civil rights veterans are being honored, with a bipartisan congressional delegation traveling to Alabama to take part in the commemorations.
The anniversary comes at a crucial time as some states are enacting measures to restrict the teaching of Black history and impose changes that activists say disenfranchise voters of color. The importance of remembering the sacrifices made by individuals in the fight for voting rights is highlighted, urging people to continue the struggle for democracy.
Efforts are being made by Democrats to push for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, aiming to restore provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Supporters hope that the attention on the anniversary will help to rally support for the bill, despite challenges in passing it. Overall, the commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery march serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for voting rights and social justice in America.
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