Yes, this is the bridge. According to the book, "Selma, Queen City of the Black Belt," the confrontation came on the Selmont side of the bridge in the county just as the marchers crossed over. State troopers and a county posse moved in with tear gas, billy clubs and horses after marchers did not disperse when ordered. The marchers had not been granted a parade permit to walk 50 miles along U.S. 80 (then a two-lane road) to Montgomery, and Selma's public safety director had wanted permission to arrest the marchers before they reached the bridge. He didn't trust the state and county to handle the situation without a confrontation, and he already had experience in such situations.. The local paper also editorialized against the use of force. The scene was shown on television, and it spurred Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Lots of history here. There is a lot of history everywhere but most of it is unknown. I like the post today and the lessons it reminds us of. Nice shot.
Crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge on U.S. Highway 80 East into downtown Selma
5 comments:
So this is the site of where arm officers attacked the civil rights demonstrators back in 1965. Very famous bridge I might say.
Yes, this is the bridge. According to the book, "Selma, Queen City of the Black Belt," the confrontation came on the Selmont side of the bridge in the county just as the marchers crossed over. State troopers and a county posse moved in with tear gas, billy clubs and horses after marchers did not disperse when ordered. The marchers had not been granted a parade permit to walk 50 miles along U.S. 80 (then a two-lane road) to Montgomery, and Selma's public safety director had wanted permission to arrest the marchers before they reached the bridge. He didn't trust the state and county to handle the situation without a confrontation, and he already had experience in such situations.. The local paper also editorialized against the use of force. The scene was shown on television, and it spurred Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Lots of history here. There is a lot of history everywhere but most of it is unknown. I like the post today and the lessons it reminds us of. Nice shot.
Brookville Daily Photo
I appreciate your historical posts and look forward to them. Good shot!
There it is, that famous and even infamous bridge!
The face you saw on my blog and asked about is in Fayetteville, Arkansas - my hometown.
Post a Comment