April 2015


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The Hampton Roads Messenger 9 Selma, 50 Years Later By Pete Souza


March 7, 1965. It became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Six hundred people defied the warnings of authorities and attempted to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma, Alabama, to show the desire of black American citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote.


Malia and Sasha Obama and other family, friends, and White House staff listen to the President. Attorney General Eric Holder is at far left.


The President points towards the bridge during his speech.


The President hugs Yolanda Renee King, granddaughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., as her parents, Martin Luther King III and Andrea Waters look on.


The President hugs Rep. John Lewis after his introduction.


Tens of thousands of people attended the ceremony.


The President speaks to the foot soldiers who attended the 50th anniversary event.


The President and First Lady hold hands as they listen to Rep. John Lewis speak at the ceremony.


In Selma, the President greets former foot soldier Amelia Boynton Robinson, 103 years old, back- stage before the ceremony.


The march continues across the bridge.


Aboard Air Force One en route to Alabama, President Obama signs H.R. 432 authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal to the “Foot Soldiers” who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turn- around Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March during March of 1965.


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