On March 7, 1965, about 600 civil rights leaders marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on their way to Montgomery, the state capital, in a protest for voting rights. The peaceful demonstrators were violently pushed back across the bridge by law enforcement officers.
Obama honored the event in a tweet Saturday: “55 years ago, when a group of civil rights organizers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they carried America with them. Today, let’s honor that legacy by continuing their work to protect and exercise our foundational right to vote.”
Lewis, who was one of the protesters from the march decades ago, also paid homage. “55 years ago today,” he wrote on Twitter, “we were beaten, tear gassed, and trampled by horses. I thought I saw death. I thought I was going to die. I don’t know how I made it back, but I know we cannot rest. We cannot become weary. We must keep pushing and pulling and find a way to get in the way.”
Booker wrote in a Facebook post that “the courage of those protesters compelled action and inspired change. Later that summer the Voting Rights Act was passed into law.” He said he is here today because of the actions of the protesters “who saw injustice and refused to remain silent.” The senator also referenced Lewis in his post.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin also commemorated the occasion: “Today marks the 55th anniversary of #BloodySunday, a day to honor the remarkable courage of the men and women who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL on March 7, 1965, for the fundamental right to vote.”
Califronia Senator Kamala Harris also wrote of the event’s significance: “55 years ago today, peaceful protestors attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, marching for voting rights. They were unjustly beaten by state troopers—but they were not deterred. We stand on the shoulders of these heroes and their courage to fight for a better nation.”
Her California colleague, Senator Dianne Feinstein, also made comments memorializing “Bloody Sunday and asked the Senate to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act “to honor the Selma marchers and help restore key provisions of the Voting Rights Act.”
New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan tweeted: “This #Selma55 we must honor those who have sacrificed so much in the hopes of creating a more equal and free America.”
Lewis, who is currently battling stage four pancreatic cancer, memorialized “Bloody Sunday” at an event in Selma earlier this week with other U.S. lawmakers. He wrote in a tweet: “We were beaten, we were tear-gassed. I thought I was going to die on this bridge. But somehow and some way, God almighty helped me here. We cannot give up now. We cannot give in. We must keep the faith, keep our eyes on the prize.”
Former Vice President and current presidential front-runner Joe Biden joined the event in Selma as well. He earlier tweeted: “As we commemorate the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, we also recognize that the struggle for Black Americans to participate in democracy is not over. We have to fight for a more just, equal America—together.”
Updated 5:53 PM ET, with John Lewis’ tweet Saturday.
Correction: March 8, 2020, 5:14 PM ET, updated to clarify that Senator Maggie Hassan represents New Hampshire, not Massachusetts.
