Bridge Crossing Jubilee preparation already underway in Selma

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

Plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Selma to Montgomery march — are already underway in Selma. Even though the Bridge Crossing Jubilee isn’t until next year.

“The Bridge Crossing Jubilee is the largest annual civil rights commemoration that there is,” said Co-Executive Director Ainka Jackson.

“We have over 30 events and so it takes a lot of work and effort not just from the Jubilee. It takes a lot of work from our partners.”

“So we’re trying tp plan ahead to make sure that we have the needed resources, the manpower, additional law enforcement for safety for our locals as well as our visitors,” said EMA Director Toya Stiles Crusoe.

A large turnout is expected to attend the Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee in February. And organizers have already started making preparation — to get ready.

“We were actually discussing needed resources such as barricades, manpower, medical needs, tents because we we’re expecting a larger crowd next year for the 60th Jubilee,” said Crusoe.

“It’s going to be amazing,” said Jackson.

“We have invited President Obama. And we’re inviting other national leaders, presidents and civil rights leaders. And so it’s going people here from all over the world. And so we’re going to be really excited to not just lift the vote, but lift the power of the vote.”

Jubilee organizers are hosting an event on August 6th — to commemorate the signing of the Voting Rights Act.