The Selma Bridge Crossing is a turning point in history and a symbol of racial equality and voting rights. March 7, 1965, marked “Bloody Sunday” when hundreds of activists, including John Lewis and Hosea Williams at their helm, were violently attacked as they marched in pursuit of justice. Through extraordinary courage, their work led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passage and forever changed American democracy.
As we gather to celebrate its 60th Anniversary, we do so as both a remembrance of yesterday and a call for continued progress. It is a day to remember the sacrifices, celebrate the victories won, and renew the struggle for equality. In resilience, unity, and hope, the Selma Bridge Crossing remains a powerful symbol of the continued pursuit of justice and liberty.
Historical Context
Civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot February 18, 1965, and died (8) days later after being fatally shot by an Alabama State Trooper when he and other peaceful demonstrators were protesting in favor of Voting Rights.
His senseless murder outraged Alabamians, the Country and galvanized activists to take a stand. In response, on March 7, 1965, approximately 600 demonstrators attempted to walk from Selma to Montgomery, only to be violently attacked by law enforcement on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The televised brutality galvanized public support for activism. Unfazed by what had happened, activists led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr completed the Selma to Montgomery March weeks later. Their resolve led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark achievement that removed barriers to Black voter registration and made American democracy stronger.
Commemorating the 60th Anniversary
In Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Bridge Crossing in Selma, this is a time of reflection, celebration, and forward progress. Citizens across the U.S. came and walked in the shoes of past civil rights leaders, honoring their sacrifices through reenactments, and crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge. These symbolic acts remind us of the struggle for social justice and voting rights.
Workshops and panels serves as a space to explore the movement’s legacy and discuss current activism and voting rights struggles. Experts, activists, and community leaders spoke of these ongoing efforts of equality and inspiration ways to instigate change. The events celebrate the movement’s culture and strength through music, narratives, and art. Performances of gospel music, historical exhibits, and spoken word poetry reflected the gains made in the struggle for justice and the need to achieve more in unity.
John Lewis (foreground) is beaten by a state trooper in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. The future congressman suffered a fractured skull.
UpLifting Voices and Modern-Day Relevance
The 60th Anniversary of crossing the Selma Bridge honors the history, raises voices, and connects historical struggles with today’s challenges. Civil rights veterans share first-hand accounts of struggle and resilience and reveal the brutal realities that they faced. Young people today continue the struggle for justice on social media at the grassroots and advocate for racial equality and voting rights. Their activism keeps the movement contemporary. At the heart of this commemoration is political activism and the right to vote. While the Voting Rights Act of 1965 marked progress, barriers remain. The Anniversary of Selma is a call to action to protect and expand voting rights and make justice and equality a permanent reality.
The 60th Anniversary of crossing the Selma Bridge is a poignant reminder of one of the towering struggles for justice, representing continued work to achieve full equality. When we honor those who marched in 1965, we also must celebrate and acknowledge the work undone. This remembrance takes backward glances but is also a step forward filled with resilience and hope. We ensure Selma’s legacy moves forward by protecting voting rights and continuing the fight for social justice.
