Hundreds march 50 years after historic Selma march
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Hundreds of people marched along Michigan Road on their way to the the Indiana State Capitol on Saturday in memory of the historic march in Selma, Alabama 50 years ago.
The journey was about six miles and although challenging at times the participants remembered the Selma marchers who journeyed more than 50 miles to the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery as a way of demonstrating for equal voting rights.
“This day in 1965 was ‘Bloody Sunday’. 50 years later we want to commemorate that symbolically, but also substantively because there are issues relevant even today 50 years later,” Light of the World Christian Church Senior Pastor David Hampton said
Saturday’s march started at Light of the World after an hour-long program inside the church. Many held homemade signs that read “Remember Selma, “Selma is now” and “Congress stop voter suppression”. Among the marchers was Erin Polley of Indianapolis.
“I just want to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters in Indianapolis.” Polley said, “We’re still fighting for racial justice that’s evident by the police militarization and the incarnation of young black men and I just don’t want to live in a world like that.”
Also among the many people who trekked to the statehouse was Eugene Hawkins.
“I came out here because this is a big event.” Watkins said, “Well my folks know folks who could not vote because of barrier to vote even though we had the right.”
Participants said they hope the march sends the message that there’s a movement in Indianapolis aimed at creating equality and justice for all.
Light of the New World Christian Church also sponsored a voter registration drive on Saturday. About 100 people registered to vote.