How "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, Alabama, marked the Civil Rights Movemet

**Abstract: The Legacy of "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, Alabama** On March 7, 1965, a pivotal and harrowing event in the American Civil Rights Movement unfolded in Selma, Alabama, known as "Bloody Sunday." This day became a significant turning point, galvanizing national support for the rights of African Americans and ultimately contributing to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. CBS News' Elise Preston revisits the events of this day through interviews with activists who were present, providing a poignant reflection on its impact and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. **Key Events:** - **March 7, 1965:** Approximately 600 civil rights marchers, including John Lewis and Hosea Williams, began a 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, the state capital, to protest voting rights discrimination. The march was met with brutal resistance from state and local law enforcement at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. - **Violence at the Edmund Pettus Bridge:** As the marchers crossed the bridge, they were met by a wall of state troopers and local police who ordered them to disperse. When the marchers refused, the police attacked them with tear gas, clubs, and whips. The violence was captured on television and broadcast across the nation, shocking many and igniting widespread outrage. - **National Response:** The images of the brutal assault on peaceful demonstrators led to a significant shift in public opinion, with many Americans calling for an end to racial discrimination and support for the Civil Rights Movement. This response was crucial in building the momentum that led to federal intervention and the eventual passage of the Voting Rights Act. - **Subsequent Marches:** Following "Bloody Sunday," two more marches were organized. The first, on March 9, led by Martin Luther King Jr., was a shorter symbolic march to the same bridge, which ended after King led the group in prayer. The third and final march, under federal protection, began on March 21 and successfully reached Montgomery on March 25, culminating in a rally at the Alabama State Capitol. **Key People:** - **John Lewis:** A prominent civil rights leader and future U.S. Representative, Lewis was at the forefront of the march and was severely beaten by police on "Bloody Sunday." His injuries and unwavering commitment to the cause became symbols of the movement's determination. - **Hosea Williams:** A leader in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Williams co-led the march with Lewis and was also injured during the police assault. - **Martin Luther King Jr.:** Although not present on "Bloody Sunday," King played a crucial role in organizing the subsequent marches, leading the second march and supporting the third march, which achieved its goal of reaching Montgomery. - **George Wallace:** The Governor of Alabama at the time, Wallace was a vocal opponent of the Civil Rights Movement and had given orders to state troopers to prevent the march from proceeding. - **James Bevel:** A key strategist in the SCLC, Bevel was instrumental in pushing for the Selma to Montgomery marches as a means to pressure the federal government to pass voting rights legislation. **Key Locations:** - **Selma, Alabama:** A city with a long history of racial tension and voter suppression, Selma was chosen as the starting point for the march due to its symbolic importance in the struggle for voting rights. - **Edmund Pettus Bridge:** The site of the violent confrontation between marchers and police, the bridge has since become an iconic landmark in the Civil Rights Movement, representing the struggle and sacrifice of those who fought for equality. - **Montgomery, Alabama:** The state capital, Montgomery was the intended destination of the march. The city itself had a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, including being the site of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955-1956. **Time Elements:** - **March 7, 1965:** The date of "Bloody Sunday." - **March 9, 1965:** The date of the second, shorter march led by Martin Luther King Jr. - **March 21-25, 1965:** The dates of the third and final march, which was protected by federal troops and successfully reached Montgomery. - **August 6, 1965:** The date when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, a direct result of the events in Selma and the subsequent national pressure. **Summary:** "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965, was a critical and violent event in the Civil Rights Movement. The march, organized to protest voting rights discrimination, was met with severe police brutality at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, leading to injuries and hospitalizations of many participants, including John Lewis. The national media coverage of the violence sparked widespread outrage and mobilized public support for the civil rights cause. Subsequent marches, including a symbolic one on March 9 led by Martin Luther King Jr. and a federally protected march from March 21 to 25, further highlighted the determination of the activists. The events in Selma played a crucial role in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to eliminate racial barriers to voting. Sixty years later, the legacy of "Bloody Sunday" continues to be remembered as a symbol of the struggle for racial justice and equality. CBS News' Elise Preston's interviews with activists who were present on that day underscore the ongoing importance of the event and the continued fight for civil rights.