# 60 years since Bloody Sunday: The 'most inspiring stories of courage'

**NATION**

Selma March

**Deborah Barfield Berry**, USA TODAY

5:58 a.m. ET March 7, 2025 Updated: 5:28 p.m. ET March 9, 2025

Hundreds of peaceful protestors were crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama 60 years ago today when they were met by a wall of police. Protesters were tear gassed and beaten. A young man named John Lewis suffered a fractured skull.

Led by Martin Luther King, Jr., Lewis and others, the protestors returned later that month and completed the 54-mile march to Montgomery in their push for voting rights.

Most of the original marchers, like Lewis, have since died, but this weekend, faith leaders, members of Congress, and civil rights veterans will gather in Selma to commemorate the 60th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday," which helped lead to landmark federal voting rights legislation.

The anniversary will be marked by a host of programs, including a service at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, where activists gathered for the march. A bipartisan congressional delegation will travel to Alabama to remember the history and salute civil rights veterans, including Lewis, who went on to become a leading member of Congress.

## The 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma

As people gather in Selma to remember "Bloody Sunday," some call for action. "We're still in the midst of this struggle,” said Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization pushing to end mass incarceration.

“The visual spectacle of all of that violence against nonviolent protesters is what moved this country,” he said.

Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, co-host of the congressional pilgrimage, said the commemoration is a chance to reflect on an important part of American history and inspire people to protect democracy.

“As we gather, we remember the shameful history of disenfranchisement,” she said.

Stevenson said the anniversary is a reminder of the nation’s “shameful history of disenfranchisement” and why participating in the political process is important.

“We're still in the midst of this struggle,” said Stevenson, who last year reintroduced the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. “We need to keep marching forward because the best of America is forward."

## Celebrating the 60th anniversary in Selma

As the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday approaches, the city of Selma is preparing for a week-long celebration of the marches. In addition to the commemoration, Selma has plans to honor the memory of the protesters who died on Bloody Sunday. In addition to the service at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, a public event will take place in the historic town square, where you can see the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a symbol of the struggle for civil rights.

A ceremony will be held Friday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. In addition to the service, Selma is also hosting a panel discussion on the past and present day struggles for civil rights, as well as a walk from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the city's downtown.

On Saturday, the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee will mark the 60th anniversary of the Edmund Pettus Bridge crossing. The event will feature performances and speakers on the history of Selma and the civil rights movement.

The day will conclude with a candlelight vigil, where attendees will reflect on the lives lost in the struggle for civil rights.

## The 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma

**Deborah Barfield Berry**, USA TODAY

5:58 a.m. ET March 7, 2025 Updated: 5:28 p.m. ET March 9, 2025

As people gather in Selma to remember "Bloody Sunday," some call for action. "We're still in the midst of this struggle,” said Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization pushing to end mass incarceration.

“The visual spectacle of all of that violence against nonviolent protesters is what moved this country,” he said.

Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, co-host of the congressional pilgrimage, said the commemoration is a chance to reflect on an important part of American history and inspire people to protect democracy.

“As we gather, we remember the shameful history of disenfranchisement,” she said.

Stevenson said the anniversary is a reminder of the nation’s “shameful history of disenfranchisement” and why participating in the political process is important.

“We're still in the midst of this struggle,” said Stevenson, who last year reintroduced the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. “We need to keep marching forward because the best of America is forward."

## Celebrating the 60th anniversary in Selma

As the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday approaches, the city of Selma is preparing for a week-long celebration of the marches. In addition to the commemoration, Selma has plans to honor the memory of the protesters who died on Bloody Sunday. In addition to the service at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, a public event will take place in the historic town square, where you can see the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a symbol of the struggle for civil rights.

A ceremony will be held Friday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. In addition to the service, Selma is also hosting a panel discussion on the past and present day struggles for civil rights, as well as a walk from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the city's downtown.

On Saturday, the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee will mark the 60th anniversary of the Edmund Pettus Bridge crossing. The event will feature performances and speakers on the history of Selma and the civil rights movement.

The day will conclude with a candlelight vigil, where attendees will reflect on the lives lost in the struggle for civil rights.
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