The historic march from Selma to Montgomery was primarily led by John Lewis of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Reverend Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
Key Figures and Participants
On March 7, 1965, an estimated 525 to 600 civil rights marchers began their journey from Selma towards Montgomery. While Lewis and Williams were at the forefront, other significant figures played crucial roles in leading and organizing the march, including Bob Mants of SNCC and Albert Turner of SCLC. These individuals, along with hundreds of brave participants, embarked on a pivotal moment in the American Civil Rights Movement.
The leadership structure reflected a collaboration between prominent civil rights organizations:
| Organization | Primary Leader on March 7, 1965 | Other Key Figure on March 7, 1965 |
|---|---|---|
| Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) | John Lewis | Bob Mants |
| Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) | Reverend Hosea Williams | Albert Turner |
These leaders guided the determined group, symbolizing the collective will of the civil rights movement.
The Historic March
The march commenced with participants heading southeast out of Selma on U.S. Highway 80. This event, known as "Bloody Sunday" due to the brutal attack by state troopers and local lawmen at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, was the first of three attempts to march from Selma to Montgomery. While the first march on March 7 was violently suppressed, it galvanized national support and led to subsequent successful marches later that month, ultimately paving the way for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The Significance
The participants of the Selma to Montgomery marches, led by figures like John Lewis and Hosea Williams, endured significant risks and violence to advocate for voting rights for African Americans. Their courage and perseverance brought widespread attention to racial injustice in the South and played a critical role in the passage of landmark civil rights legislation. The walk from Selma to Montgomery became an iconic symbol of the struggle for equality and justice in America.
