For Those Who Remember, and Those Who Are Learning, Selma’s Legacy Lives On
This weekend, the nation turns its attention to Selma, Alabama, as events unfold to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a defining moment in the civil rights movement. For those who remember that fateful day and for those who are too young to have experienced it firsthand, this is your history. The commemoration serves not only as a solemn remembrance but also as an urgent call to action.
“All of the rights we enjoy today came at a cost, and Selma was at the epicenter of that sacrifice,” said Abina Billups, co-founder of Salute Selma, Inc., one of the organizations leading the weekend’s events. “We have a responsibility to continue this fight, to honor those who came before us, and to make sure that history is not just remembered—but protected.”
The Enduring Legacy of Bloody Sunday
On March 7, 1965, peaceful demonstrators set out to march from Selma to Montgomery in support of voting rights. As they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met with brutal force by state troopers and sheriff’s deputies who beat them with clubs, fired tear gas, and trampled them on horseback. Among the injured was John Lewis, a young activist who would later become a revered congressman. The images of violence shocked the nation, catalyzing support for the Voting Rights Act, which President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law that summer.
Each year, the anniversary of Bloody Sunday is marked by a symbolic march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This year’s commemoration will once again draw civil rights leaders, members of Congress, and faith leaders to reflect on the significance of that day and the ongoing fight for voting rights and racial justice.
Honoring the Fight for Education Equity and Voting Rights
In addition to honoring civil rights veterans, the commemoration will shine a spotlight on the continued struggle for education equity and voting rights. This milestone anniversary arrives at a time when Black history education faces threats, and voting rights are once again under attack. “We are hearing constant attacks from members of Congress who claim that our history is not worthy of being told,” said Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center. “It’s important to acknowledge the foot soldiers in places like Selma, who risked their lives to fight for voting rights.”
The Power of Remembering
Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, emphasized how the brutality of Bloody Sunday exposed the violence of Jim Crow and the resistance to integration. “The visual spectacle of all of that violence against nonviolent protesters is what moved this country,” he said.
Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, co-host of the congressional pilgrimage to Selma, echoed this sentiment, calling the commemoration a chance to inspire people to protect democracy. “What happened on Bloody Sunday is worthy of remembering so that we will never forget it.”
Continuing the Fight
More than 40 members of Congress will participate in a three-day trip, visiting historic sites in Montgomery, Birmingham, and Selma. At Brown Chapel AME Church, a command center for the original marchers, a special program will honor the courage of those who fought for voting rights.
Pastor Leodis Strong reflected on the role of the church during the movement. “Brown Chapel was not going to sit on the sidelines as a spectator while there were persons who were brave enough, courageous enough, faithful enough to participate. They didn’t see it as an epic history watershed moment; they saw it as just a struggle for their lives, their human dignity.”
The Legacy Lives On
As the nation commemorates the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the legacy of those who marched endures. Their courage paved the way for progress, but the struggle for justice and equality continues. By remembering the sacrifices of the past, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting democracy and ensuring that history is not erased but honored and learned from for generations to come.
President Biden told a crowd that the “fundamental right” to vote “remains under assault”, speaking on the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a violent attack on Black civil rights marchers by the police in Selma, Alabama.
