Selma

Selma
Once settling into our living quarters in Selma we headed straight for the site I most wanted to see, The Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The failure of politicians to allow Blacks the right to vote prompted a series of marches and protests in the 1960s.  One such protest lead to the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson who was protecting his mother and grandfather from assault during a protest.  Inspired to organize, and present their demands to the Governor, a march was planned from Selma to Montgomery, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.  The march took place on March 7, 1965 and ended in a confrontation that would later be referred to as "Bloody Sunday."   Two weeks later a new march resumed headed by religious leaders that included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The march covered 54 miles between Selma and Montgomery in four days, this time without confrontation, and ended with a gathering in front of the State Capitol.   

The historical march began at Brown Chapel.