Thousands visit Selma for Bridge Crossing Jubilee
Thousands of people were in Selma over the weekend to attend the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee. Events were held to mark the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday, and wrapped up with the march across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge Sunday.
People from all walks of life — came from around the country — to be a part of the Bloody Sunday commemoration — and march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
“I was one of the youngest little girls, 8 years old who was on that Bloody Sunday march. When I look at things today we’re still challenged with much of the same,” says Sheyann Webb-Christburg, a Bloody Sunday foot soldier.
“Now I’m a baby boomer. So, I was alive when a lot of this was taking place. So, I remember that energy and I said, you know, I have to get here this time,” says Floyd Potts of Atlanta, Georgia.
Events included the Jubilee Music Festival, a parade, and the Freedom Flame Awards Gala. The bridge crossing reenactment closed out the event, with ave after wave of people marching.
“I decided to come because with being so close and hearing about the Bloody Sunday experience, I just wanted to be here, experience it in person,” says Olivia Davis of Conyers, Georgia.
“I am here for myself but more importantly, representing my late husband, Rudy Simons. They showed what was going on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He answered the call,” says Roseanne Simons of Detroit, Michigan.
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was one of keynote speakers at the event.
“I’m here for two reasons. One, to be able to thank both the people who are still here the foot soldiers and those who have passed into memory, for what they did ti make this country a better place. The physical courage they displayed on this bridge is so inspiring to all of us. And the second reason I’m here is to take on the lessons for what has to happen next. This isn’t only about history. This is about what kind of country we are going to be. Right now, the Voting Rights Act is under attack. Right now, some of the same things that those marchers were fighting for interms of racial and economic justice are still on the line. So, we’ve gotta recommit ourselves to the work that’s in front of us. and there is no better way to be inspired than to come into contact with the courage and the memory of the people who changed history on this bridge,” says Buttigieg.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker were also in attendance at the event.
The events did not go without incident, however. Six people were hurt in a shooting in the overnight hours Saturday morning in the 1200 block of Alabama Avenue. Two more people were shot late Saturday afternoon near the Jubilee Music and Street Festival.
Police say one person has been arrested and charged with assault in the first shooting. The suspect’s name hasn’t yet been released.
If you have information to help police, call CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP.
You can read more about the shootings here.
