SELMA, Ala. – On March 9, 2025, many people gathered in Selma, Alabama, to honor the 60th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.”
Understanding Bloody Sunday
On March 7, 1965, Charles Mauldin stood among a crowd of voting rights marchers crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge. They were there to oppose the refusal of local officials to let Black residents register to vote. The situation grew tense after the recent killing of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a minister who was shot by a state trooper in nearby Marion.
As they reached the bridge’s highest point, marchers were met by a line of state troopers and armed men on horseback. The police gave a warning to disperse, then moved in with violence. Mauldin recalls, “They began to beat men, women, and children and used tear gas and cattle prods.” He was only 17 at the time.
The event shocked the country and sparked support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, people honor those who fought for voting rights and revisit the ongoing battle for equality.
60th Anniversary Reflections
This year’s commemoration comes with worries about new voting restrictions that have emerged recently. Many believe these changes threaten the democratic progress made in the past.
Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson, who grew up in Selma, expressed her concerns about the direction of federal education policies. “Support from the federal government has been crucial for Black Americans,” she said, echoing fears that without it, justice and equality would be at risk.
During the ceremony at Tabernacle Baptist Church, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke about the significant changes that occurred in Selma and how they resonate today. “We need to press on, faced with troubles that want to erase our history,” he urged the crowd, highlighting the presence of civil rights leaders like Rev. Jesse Jackson and numerous other Congress members.
As they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge together, marchers paused to reflect on the harsh reality of 1965 when many were beaten for demanding their rights. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell remarked on the current climate, noting that many new voting restrictions have been introduced since critical protections were weakened.
Mauldin commented on how far they’ve come, yet how much further they need to go. “Voting rights have not fully delivered equality for Black folks,” he said. Dawson added, “It feels like we’re facing a return to the 1950s.”
The Leaders of Bloody Sunday
Back in 1965, leaders like John Lewis and Hosea Williams led the marchers across the bridge, facing severe opposition from law enforcement. Their courage set in motion a fight that changed the nation.
The annual pilgrimage to Selma now includes music, art, and a reminder of the struggle for equality in America. As the crowd gathered, it was clear that while progress has been made, the fight for voting rights and equality continues.
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