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Selma to Montgomery Freedom March

March 13, 1965

March 21, 1965

March 6, 1965

January 18, 1965

1962 - 1962

  • Black Civil Rights activists meet at the Brown Chapel. A march of 300, led by King and John Lewis commenced after speeches and prayers.
  • President Johnson meets with Wallace to condemn the brutality surrounding the protests, and asks him to deploy the Alabama National Guard to protect the marchers.
  • About 8,000 protestors assemble at Brown Chapel to begin their 5 day march to Montgomery's Capital
  • White citizens of Alabama, who dubbed themselves the Concerned White Citizens of Alabama, travel to Selma to advocate and march for African American rights.
  • Representatives of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee travel to Selma and begin staging protests

The Selma to Montgomery march began as smaller marches led by civil rights activists. A significant march was led by Dr. King and John Lewis. Once again, showing how multiple people had to lead marchers for it to be successful. One voice among a crown of 300 is small, but two united voices shows strength.

The 8,000 protestors that were involved in this march all had significance in the success of the Selma to Montgomery march. Each person who walked during this 5-day march helped the protest gain recognition for its size nationwide.

Once again, President Johnson acted upon his beliefs and spread awareness. The fact that the President found this issue so pressing that he went to meet with a Governor himself, shows how he played a major part in the success of the Selma to Montgomery march.

Contrary to popular belief, the Selma to Montgomery March was not led by one single public figure. Many civil rights activists helped lead the march, as many helped start the idea. The SNCC were the first group to stage protests in Selma when African Americans were denied the right to vote. These organized protests, led by students, began a movement that people came to know about all over the nation.

The fact that people who were not directly affected by the inequalities African Americans faced joined the movement, shows how the civil rights movement was truly a combined effort from so many different groups of people. The "Alabama whites" are another example of the countless groups who contributed time and effort to fight for equal opportunities for all races.

1962

1965

March 17, 1965

March 8, 1965

February 4, 1965

March 25, 1965

December 28, 1964

  • Federal District Court Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr., rules in favor of a plan outlining the protection of the marchers.
  • President Lyndon B. Johnson makes his first public statement supporting the Selma Campaign
  • Over 25,000 demonstrators join the march, by the time Montgomery's Capital is reached. King delivers his famous "How Long, Not Long" speech.
  • Fred Gray and the SCLC go to court against Gov. George Wallace, asking the U.S. District Judge to prevent the state troopers that Wallace ordered from blocking the March.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King proposes the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's plan, the "Project for an Alabama Political Freedom Movement", which was developed by James Bevel.

Contributions to the success of the march were not only found in the President and Civil Rights activists. Judge Johnson Jr. ruled in favor of the protection of the marchers which ensured that the Selma to Montgomery march could commence with little to no violence and death. While the Judge may have not been developing plans and speaking to people about his beliefs, his ruling allowed a march to occur that led way for an American revolution.

The fact that the Selma to Montgomery March was a combined effort by many parties is further exemplified through President Johnson's public advocacy for the movement. Someone at a position of power, such as the President, has the power to reach many audiences. The President used that power in a positive light and lent to a successful march that impacted the nation.

In the end, over 25,000 demonstrators participated in the march. Every one of these demonstrators contributed to the success of the march just by being there and voicing their opinion. There are so many activists and advocates that donated their time and efforts to plan a march that would bring change. Once again, Dr. King contributed to the success of the march by being the figurehead that people looked up to and drew bravery from. His speeches inspired civil rights movements across the country.

The Governor of Alabama, George Wallace banned nighttime protests in Selma and Marion, to enforce it, he deployed 75 states troopers. This act caused anger among civil rights activists who ended up taking the Governor to court. The bravery that Fred Gray and the SCLC possessed to stand up to the Governor made it so marches, such as the Selma to Montgomery March, could be successful. Activists such as Fred Gray, sometimes go unnoticed, yet the march may have not been possible if he wasn't brave enough to stand up to the Governor and his racist ways.

A couple of years after the protests in Selma began, other groups began to join the protests in Selma by devising plans. The plan that Dr. King proposed called for "mass action and voter registration attempts in Selma and Dallas County." While, King and SCLC proposed the plan, James Bevel developed the plan. This shows how SNCC was not the only contributor to the movement, and Dr. King was not either. Many people forget that such a large protest as the one from Selma to Montgomery includes a multitude of leaders and planners that make sure the event is successful.

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