Yesterday, at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, President Obama and over 100 members of the US Congress celebrated the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights march in Selma, a turning-point in the non-violent civil rights movement. President Obama was introduced by John Lewis, who with Hosea Williams and others led the march fifty years ago and was severely beaten by the Alabama police.
Celebration at the Edmund Pettus bridge, Selma, 7 March 2015. John Lewis between Michelle and Barack Obama. Photo: The Kansas City Star
Confrontation at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma, 7 March 1965. John Lewis on the right in a white coat.
For Barack Obama’s speech at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, yesterday – 7 March 2015, please follow this link.
For John Lewis’s PRIO Annual Peace Address 2011, please follow this link.
For PRIO’s current project on nonviolent resistance, please follow this link.