Selma Archives - Voting Rights Trail Blackbelt Alabama

This side of the Bridge: March to the Capital

Re-enactment of the final leg of the 1965 march with a program reminiscent of the original, featuring speeches by past and modern day freedom fighters.

Stars for Freedom Rally

Star-studded rally that mimics the original 1965 event with entertainment, performances, and inspirational speeches.

Family Fun Day

A resource-filled block party that includes marching bands, bouncy houses, face painting, vendors, and more!

This Side of the Bridge Gala

Black-tie gala to honor Civil Rights Icons and Community Heroes and conclude with live music and dancing. Tickets will be soon be available for purchase.

Highway 80 History Symposium: Exploring Alabama’s Civil Rights Corridor

Learn from scholars and foot soldiers about the lesser-known stories of civil rights along Alabama’s Highway 80.

The Annual Jimmie Lee Jackson Day

Join us to hear from Mrs. Mamie Booker. Mrs. Booker was the last person to see Mr. Jackson alive. She will share her story of his last six days, as she cared for him while serving as his nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Start of Marion to Selma Bike Ride

Immediately after the death and funeral of Mr. Jimmie Lee Jackson activist started to think about how to show their deep resentment and anger towards the cavalier attitude of murdering another black man. In a planning meeting someone yelled, “we should take his body to Montgomery.” At first the march would have begun in Marion, AL and ended in Montgomery, but the small county roads and close tree lines made that option to0 dangerous, so it was decided that marchers would go from Selma to Montgomery.
The Marion to Selma Bike Ride will serve to honor the original planned march from Marion and highlight the contributions to gaining voting rights for all Americans that this small Black Belt community played.

Please register for the bike ride at a cost of $25. Riders will gather at 8:30 at the Marion Arts Center located at 314 Washington Street Marion, AL 36756. The ride will begin at 9:00 am.

Community: Selma