As Alabama News Network has reported, the coronavirus pandemic has forced most of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee events in Selma to become virtual for 2021. But the remembrance of Bloody Sunday will go on. The major events will take place Friday through Sunday, leading up to the virtual bridge crossing on Sunday afternoon. The King Unity Breakfast will be held…
From the West Alabama Newsroom– Big changes are on the way to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. A project to light up the historic bridge is underway — and moving forward. The project aims to decorate and light up the Edmund Pettus Bridge — with LED lighting. The project has made steady progress — now light can be seen…
From the West Alabama newsroom– Congressman John Lewis was a fixture at the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma. He used his influence — to support the effort to commemorate Bloody Sunday — and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Lewis rarely missed an opportunity to attend the Jubilee over the years. His iconic stature helped grow the event into one…
From the West Alabama Newsroom– Hundreds of people flocked to Selma to watch Congressman John Lewis make his final journey across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Shouts of “Thank you” — “Farewell” — and “Good trouble” erupted from the crowd — as the horse drawn carriage carrying Lewis’ body — made its way onto the bridge. “It was really important to…
From the West Alabama Newsroom– People in Selma paid tribute to the life and legacy of Civil Rights icon — Congressman John Lewis. A private ceremony was held at the historic Brown Chapel AME Church. Selma native Congresswoman Terri Sewell shared her admiration for her colleague and mentor during the ceremony. “Can’t you hear him. We come to Selma one…
Growing calls nationally to honor the memory of Rep. John Lewis by putting his name on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma where he and other voting rights demonstrators were beaten 55 years ago are being met with some resistance in the city. Some say renaming the bridge for the Georgia congressman would dishonor local activists who spent years advocating…
From the West Alabama newsroom– People in Selma are remembering the life and legacy of civil rights icon and Alabama native — John Lewis. Flags are flying at half staff around the city — in honor of Congressman John Lewis. Lewis died Friday after a seven month battle with pancreatic cancer. “The world has lost a great, not just an…
Civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., is extolled at an event with fellow Democrats before passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act to eliminate potential state and local voter suppression laws, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Calls are growing nationally to honor the late Rep. John Lewis by putting his name on…
John Lewis of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee is put on the ground by Alabama State troopers while Hosea Williams runs as state troopers break up civil rights voting march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma, Alabama. (AP Photo) John Lewis saw the line of Alabama state troopers a few hundred yards away as he led hundreds of marchers to…
From the West Alabama Newsroom– The removal of Confederate statues and symbols — has re-ignited calls to change the name of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. Former State Senator Hank Sanders — spear-headed an effort to change the name of the bridge — five year ago in the state legislature. That effort failed — but Sanders is hoping…
