Stella Dimoko Korkus.com: Thousands Gather To Commemorate Selma March 50 Years After

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Sunday, March 08, 2015

Thousands Gather To Commemorate Selma March 50 Years After


US President Barack Obama has marked the 50th anniversary of the Selma civil rights march in Alabama by paying tribute to the "heroes" who took part in the "Bloody Sunday" on 7 March 1965, when security forces attacked black demonstrators in the city.







The same march, with President Obama leading about 40,000 people, holds 50 years after, at the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 2015 in Selma, Alabama. 

Police beat and used tear gas on demonstrators as they made their way over the crossing, on a day that became known as "Bloody Sunday" in 1965.








That 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery helped build momentum for approval of the Voting Rights Act by Congress later that year. The legislation, pushed by President Lyndon Johnson, removed all barriers preventing African-Americans from registering as voters.

The violence witnessed in Selma 50 years ago paved the way for equal voting rights.

President Obama said the marchers, who were campaigning for equal voting rights, had "given courage to millions".

"Because of what they did, the doors of opportunity swung open not just for African-Americans, but for every American," he said, standing in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge where the violence took place.





Selma reminded the American public that despite progress the fight against racism was not over.

He addressed the recent police killings of unarmed black men and teenagers, which had triggered protests in several US cities.

"This nation's long racial history still casts its long shadow upon us. We know the march is not yet over, the race is not yet won," he said.

Georgia congressman John Lewis, a Democrat who was among those injured in the violence 50 years ago, also addressed the crowd of more than 40,000.

He said: "I want to thank each and every one of you who marched across the bridge on Bloody Sunday. You didn't have to do but you did.

"Six hundred people marched into history. We were so peaceful, so quiet. No-one saying a word. "We were beaten, tear gassed, some of us were left bloody here on this bridge. But we never became bitter or hostile."

Ex President George W Bush also took part in the commemorations. - BBC
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24 comments:

  1. Very emotional..
    Martin luther king jnr,God rest your kind soul..

    ReplyDelete
  2. MR EDDY said this heat wan kill person o.


    That was very thoughtful of him
    ^
    ^
    ^™THAT EDO BOY.COM~

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love to see this Selma movie.

    A thousand years to come and movies about slavery/racism/molestation /killing will still sell.

    See October 1.
    I love watching epic Nigerian movies. The ones about our forefathers, traditions and Co.
    Not Ngozi Ezeonu on school uniform.


    Okbye

    ReplyDelete
  4. I see you martin Luther king wow racism e don tay e start o







    #GODWIN

    ReplyDelete
  5. may their soul continue to rest in peace






    #GODWIN

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just reading about this Selma march, long live africans. I hope one day Racisim will end in this world. One thing is for sure, no racism in Heaven. This is the kind of president we want and love not this our GEJ Election Eye service. Long live Nigeria

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  7. Nice1,even obama's daughter was among

    ReplyDelete
  8. Match on pple.

    Pamscrib.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Don't think racism can ever end in the us ...but when there's life,there's hope.....Stella u must enjoy me

    ReplyDelete
  10. Racism is still far from being eradicated doubt it could ever be until God's kingdom comes...

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  11. To believe African Americans didn't start voting until 50years ago!!! Till date,racial tensions exists in the USA, on a couple of visits to America, I get asked"how come you can speak English?" I feel people who act based on race are just ignorant. It's sad but I honestly hope african Americans can rise above the throngs of illicit drugs,crime and low self esteem just so the efforts of Martin Luther King,Malcolm X,Meadgar Evans,Rosa Parks and many more civil rights activists would not be in vain.
    In the same vein, I pray peace upon our country Nigeria. Tribalism and religious sentiments would not divide our country. God bless Nigeria!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hear hear!!

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    2. I get that question too!! They're always on a total shock knowing I speak English.
      President Obama's speech is it!!! God help us.

      Delete
  12. Racism still looms large all over the world. I know, dauda aliyu will never be on such thread. Ignorant mofo. Happy Sunday y'all

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  13. Obama is a great man.

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  14. Racism has never been celebrated and it would never be celebrated.Martin Luther King jr was God sent.

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  15. seen




    #Commenting thru Glo 4G LTE

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  16. @Anon 13:29, illicit drug use, crime and low self esteem are not particular to only African-Americans or any one group in any part of the world. You're not speaking well of them by citing stereotypes. That's like saying you hope Nigerians won't squander the sacrifices of its pioneers by giving up 419's, bleaching, and corruption. Are Nigerians only these things?

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  17. Mystery solved. Anon 13:29 is really Nelo Ozojie coming back to self congratulate after getting called out for her blunder. How desperate of her, lol.

    ReplyDelete

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