Brutal Attack on Civil Rights Marchers in Selma
March 7th, 1965
March 7th, 1965
How Long Ago?
60 years, 8 days ago
Location
Selma, Alabama, USA
Category
Social Movements & Civil Rights
People
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Coretta Scott King
- John Lewis
- Hosea Williams
- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Links & References
Tags
Brutal Attack on Civil Rights Marchers in Selma
A march of 600 civil rights activists from Selma to Montgomery was violently confronted by state and local police who used clubs and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The marchers were seeking to protest for voting rights and march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This confrontation became known as Bloody Sunday and drew national attention to the civil rights movement.
Marchers aimed to secure voting rights.
The march ended violently at Edmund Pettus Bridge.
National outrage followed the brutal police response.
Bloody Sunday led to Voting Rights Act legislation.
What Happened?
In Selma, Alabama, approximately 600 civil rights marchers set off from Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, determined to march to Montgomery to demand voting rights for African Americans. The marchers were led by prominent civil rights activists, including John Lewis of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). As they approached the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met by a large contingent of Alabama state troopers and local police. The law enforcement officers ordered the marchers to turn back, warning them that they would not be allowed to proceed. When the marchers refused to disperse peacefully, the police unleashed a brutal display of force. They wielded clubs and used tear gas on the nonviolent protesters, who were primarily composed of African Americans and their supporters. The violent suppression of the march led to widespread outrage and condemnation across the country, with images of the brutality broadcast on national television.
Why Does it Matter?
Bloody Sunday served as a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement. The violent treatment of the marchers galvanized public sentiment against segregation and voter suppression, leading to increased support for the movement and legislative changes, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This event highlighted systemic injustices faced by African Americans and prompted national initiatives to combat civil rights violations, thus securing a significant victory in the push for equality.
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