On March 7, 1965, canisters of teargas exploded on the pavement of the Edmund Pettus Bridge as more than 600 civil rights activists attempted to trek 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. in search of the right to vote.
On that date, now known as “Bloody Sunday,” Alabama state troopers, led by Sheriff Jim Clark violently blocked the marchers’ progress.
The marchers were met by officers swinging clubs, bats, bricks and whips. They were verbally as well as physically assaulted and driven back by force into Selma.
Graphic televised news coverage outraged millions of Americans who had been unaware of the blatant discrimination African-Americans faced.
Two weeks later, after marching about 10 to 12 miles a day along U.S. Highway 80, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), protestors completed their march against voter discrimination under the protection of thousands of U.S. soldiers, the National Guard and FBI agents.
The 50th anniversary of this famous march that encouraged President Lyndon Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act of 1965, will be acknowledged by thousands of Americans March 6-8 in Selma and other Alabama cities.
Several organizations and employers are traveling to the historic site, including the Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the NAACP branch #3053.
The idea for the trip developed last October, when President Crystal Ratcliffe and First Vice President Nora Stockton learned of the celebration.
“This is what the NAACP stands for,” said Stockton. “We fought for the Voting Rights Act 50 years ago and we’re still fighting for that. Sometimes it looks as if we are falling behind, but what we say is ‘two steps forward and no steps backward.’”
A bus with 56 passengers, including this Recorder reporter and colleague Ebony Chappel, adults, teenagers and children from diverse backgrounds will participate in the Selma to Montgomery reenactment march and other activities.
Stockton, an Alabama native, said the last seats were booked earlier this week, and the local NAACP chapter has been receiving numerous notices about Indianapolis residents inquiring about the trip.
“With everything that’s been going on in the elections as far as voting, if we as the NAACP and citizens let that happen, the people that died 50 years ago, died in vain. Now we’re voting and they’re trying to take it away,” noted Stockton, refering to current senate bills to change the language of voting requirements.
Linda Everett, veteran affairs chairperson for the local NAACP chapter, said she sees this trip as a way to prepare the African-American community for the struggles ahead.
“I expect this trip to tap into a deep sense of pride for the struggle and its accomplishments,” said Everett. “I am both honored and compelled to take this journey to Selma and across the infamous Pettus Bridge. As an African-American woman born and raised during the turbulent 60s, I am proud of the vision of the civil rights leaders and amazed at the courage of the everyday citizens and children who stood up, knowing they were about to be knocked down.”
National leaders such as the Obama family, President George Bush and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., will attend the weekend events, as well as a legendary lineup of musical artists such as Patti LaBelle.
Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce said the area is preparing in advance for the large crowd. Eleven local, state and federal agencies in Selma and Montgomery are partnering to establish Joint Information Centers.
“We look forward to everyone coming to Selma. This is not only an opportunity for Selma but also the state of Alabama,” said Smedley. “The movie ‘Selma’ has had a big impact on the turn out.”
Hotels in the city have been booked for weeks and local businesses are hoping to extend hours if federal guidelines allow.
Old Depot Museum located in Selma, will be closed due to the arrival of the president. Security in the city will be on guard 24 hours a day.
“We’re expecting a lot of people, especially with the president coming. We’re where the president’s going to be and I’ve been told this area will be closed by the Secret Service. You can’t even go by a window if you are in the building,” said the museum’s curator, Beth Spivey.
Not only is the local NAACP chapter traveling to Selma, but so are other institutions such as the Evansville African-American Museum.
Lana Burton of Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation who partnered with the Evansville museum said more than 30 people have signed up to travel. While the trip was open to all local residents, emphasis on recruiting the youth was a priority.
“With our focus being African-Americans, the trip simply fell in place. We try to expose the youth to African-American history and stress the role we played in this country,” noted Burton. “We have some college students going with us from the University of Evansville and some high school students as well.”
For more information on Bloody Sunday, visit Nps.gov.
