Rally at the Capitol Following March from St. Jude
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The rally kicked off a little earlier than planned today because the marchers got to the capitol sooner than expected. But once it got underway, those who were there tell us it was very compelling.
The re-enactment of the Selma to Montgomery march concluded at the steps of the capitol Wednesday afternoon. That’s where a rally was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the march.
“It’s overwhelming to see black and white together but as it has been said, the movement isn’t over,” said Shelton Merriweather.
Speakers like radio personality Tom Joyner and Selma Mayor George Evans opened the rally. But it was Southern Poverty Law Center co-founder Morris Dees that really got the crowd revved up.
“Dr. King would say how much longer for healthcare. Alabama refuses to set up an exchange to set up Obamacare because they don’t want anything that Obama had his name on.”
“I love Morris Dees,” said Lucy Lee Lanoux. “He’s speaking power to truth, truth to power. Absolutely. We need to change things but we’re here for unity and it felt great to be here today.”
Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter Bernice King took the podium to deliver her father’s ‘How Long, Not Long’ speech. The moment was a crowd favorite.
“How long, not long…For mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
“I love her,” said 79-year-old Jerry Dee Daniels, who marched 50 years ago. “She talked the truth and then she did a little bit of her father’s speech.”
“I thought it was really great hearing Bernice King reading the words of her father, of course. I mean, that was pretty cool,” said Montgomery resident Kay Jacoby.
Peggy Sue Wallace, the daughter of segregationist Governor George Wallace also spoke about the progress Alabama has made in the last 50 years. Spectators say the speakers delivered and the rally was moving.
“Being a part of the march, the movement, in Greenville, Alabama 50 years ago, yeah I enjoyed every one of them,” Merriweather said of the speakers.
