The attack on civil rights protesters in Selma, Alabama occurred on March 7, 1965, and is now known as “Bloody Sunday.” The incident took place during the height of the civil rights movement, when African Americans were fighting for the right to vote.
The march was organized by civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., to demand voting rights for African Americans, who were systematically denied the right to vote through intimidation, violence, and discriminatory laws. The protesters, including men, women, and children, planned to march from Selma to Montgomery, the state capital, to draw attention to their cause.
However, as the marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met by a violent mob of state troopers and local law enforcement officers. The officers used tear gas and billy clubs to beat and disperse the peaceful protesters. The violence was broadcast on national television and drew attention to the civil rights movement.
The attack on the protesters in Selma sparked outrage across the country and led to increased support for the civil rights movement. President Lyndon B. Johnson was compelled to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ensured that all Americans, regardless of race or color, had the right to vote.
The events in Selma, Alabama, were a turning point in the civil rights movement, and the legacy of the brave protesters who stood up for their rights continues to inspire activists today. The Edmund Pettus Bridge has become a symbol of the struggle for civil rights and is now a National Historic Landmark, attracting visitors from all over the world.
References:
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/johnson-signs-voting-rights-act
