The historic “Selma to Montgomery marches,” with the first of the three protest marches known as “Bloody Sunday,” highlighted a turbulent time of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) led voter registration drives in the small town of Selma, Ala., with the intent of combating White resistance toward African Americans gaining rights to vote in elections.
SEE ALSO: Prince Hall, Group Of African Americans Admitted To Freemasonry On This Day In 1775
Along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the gathering of activists held several demonstrations to protest the death of fellow protester Jimmie Lee Jackson (pictured in below portrait) who was shot and killed by Alabama State Trooper James Bonard Fowler.
On March 7th, more than 600 hundred marchers led by the SNCC and SCLC gathered in Selma to march in solidarity. Coupled with the original aim of the protest, marchers also wanted to call attention to the denial of their voting rights. With the 1964 Civil Rights Act passing, King and other leaders hoped the gathering would speed along the opportunity for fairness.
Led by current Georgia congressman John Lewis (then-chairman of the SNCC) and Rev. Hosea Williams of the SCLC, the marchers were undeterred until they reached the Edmund Pettus Bridge that crosses the Alabama River heading in to Montgomery.
RELATED: Montgomery Police Chief Apologizes To Freedom Rider Rep. John Lewis
Police gathered and formed a wall barring the passing of the marchers, after Sheriff Jim Clark called all able-bodied White men to become temporary deputies and assist in enforcement.
When Rev. Williams tried to peacefully reason with the officers, shoving matches ensued and the carnage began: officers fired tear gas in to the crowd and began beating the non-violent protesters with billy clubs.
The aggressive actions of the Alabama police force were televised nationally and around the world, sparking fierce debate and renewed support for the Civil Rights Movement. Reports vary, but between 17 and 50 people were injured and hospitalized with one woman, Amelia Boynton, nearly beaten to death.
Watch real-time news coverage of Bloody Sunday here:
Defiantly, Dr. King roused nationwide support for a following march known as “Turnaround Tuesday” and returned to Selma on March 9th.
Although the SCLC tried to legally obtain a court order to march to Montgomery, they were denied the document. The march went on, but in order to stay within legal means, King did not violate the court order and instead instructed the 2,500 walkers to turn around after a short prayer.
It was known that the SNCC wanted more radical action compared to the peaceful tactics of the SCLC, but King was able to manage the tensions between the groups. On March 21 and under federal protection, a massive group of 8,000 marched successfully to Montgomery and were met with a “Stars For Freedom” rally, featuring Sammy Davis, Jr., Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, Nina Simone, and more.
Sadly, Ku Klux Klan members angered by the protests killed two White persons who supported the marchers and their movement.
It would be several months until the Voting Rights Act Of 1965 would pass in August of that year, solidifying that the SNCC’s and SCLC’s hard work was not in vain.
With Blacks in Alabama finally able to vote without being blocked by racist authority figures, Sherriff Clark was voted out immediately.
The Selma marches show that through concerted effort and some measurable pain, African Americans were able to withstand the brunt of racism and achieve heights long denied to them simply because of racism.
Today, many of us reap the benefits of the Selma marchers’ determination to create a fair and balanced life for all.
SEE ALSO: Prince Hall, Group Of African Americans Admitted To Freemasonry On This Day In 1775
Along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the gathering of activists held several demonstrations to protest the death of fellow protester Jimmie Lee Jackson (pictured in below portrait) who was shot and killed by Alabama State Trooper James Bonard Fowler.
On March 7th, more than 600 hundred marchers led by the SNCC and SCLC gathered in Selma to march in solidarity. Coupled with the original aim of the protest, marchers also wanted to call attention to the denial of their voting rights. With the 1964 Civil Rights Act passing, King and other leaders hoped the gathering would speed along the opportunity for fairness.
Led by current Georgia congressman John Lewis (then-chairman of the SNCC) and Rev. Hosea Williams of the SCLC, the marchers were undeterred until they reached the Edmund Pettus Bridge that crosses the Alabama River heading in to Montgomery.
RELATED: Montgomery Police Chief Apologizes To Freedom Rider Rep. John Lewis
Police gathered and formed a wall barring the passing of the marchers, after Sheriff Jim Clark called all able-bodied White men to become temporary deputies and assist in enforcement.
When Rev. Williams tried to peacefully reason with the officers, shoving matches ensued and the carnage began: officers fired tear gas in to the crowd and began beating the non-violent protesters with billy clubs.
The aggressive actions of the Alabama police force were televised nationally and around the world, sparking fierce debate and renewed support for the Civil Rights Movement. Reports vary, but between 17 and 50 people were injured and hospitalized with one woman, Amelia Boynton, nearly beaten to death.
Watch real-time news coverage of Bloody Sunday here:
Defiantly, Dr. King roused nationwide support for a following march known as “Turnaround Tuesday” and returned to Selma on March 9th.
Although the SCLC tried to legally obtain a court order to march to Montgomery, they were denied the document. The march went on, but in order to stay within legal means, King did not violate the court order and instead instructed the 2,500 walkers to turn around after a short prayer.
It was known that the SNCC wanted more radical action compared to the peaceful tactics of the SCLC, but King was able to manage the tensions between the groups. On March 21 and under federal protection, a massive group of 8,000 marched successfully to Montgomery and were met with a “Stars For Freedom” rally, featuring Sammy Davis, Jr., Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, Nina Simone, and more.
Sadly, Ku Klux Klan members angered by the protests killed two White persons who supported the marchers and their movement.
It would be several months until the Voting Rights Act Of 1965 would pass in August of that year, solidifying that the SNCC’s and SCLC’s hard work was not in vain.
With Blacks in Alabama finally able to vote without being blocked by racist authority figures, Sherriff Clark was voted out immediately.
The Selma marches show that through concerted effort and some measurable pain, African Americans were able to withstand the brunt of racism and achieve heights long denied to them simply because of racism.
Today, many of us reap the benefits of the Selma marchers’ determination to create a fair and balanced life for all.
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