SELMA, Ala. — Charles Mauldin found himself at the forefront of a significant voting rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965.
The group was rallying against the refusal of white officials to allow Black Alabamians to register to vote, ignited by the tragic shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a minister and voting rights advocate, by a state trooper just days earlier in Marion.
As marchers reached the mid-point of the iconic bridge, they were met with a line of state troopers, deputies, and mounted officers. Law enforcement issued a dispersal warning before resorting to brutal violence.
“Within moments, they raised their billy clubs, pushing us back and began to indiscriminately beat men, women, and children, deploying tear gas and cattle prods,” Mauldin recounted, reflecting on his experience at the age of 17.
This past Sunday marked the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a confrontation that shocked the nation and catalyzed support for the historic U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965. The annual remembrance celebrated those who bravely fought for voting rights while also renewing calls for the ongoing struggle for equality.
Veterans of the movement express deep concerns regarding recent voting restrictions and governmental actions undermining the Federal agencies that helped shape America’s democratic landscape.
“This country was not a democracy for Black individuals until events like those in Selma transpired,” Mauldin asserted. “Our fight continues to ensure this democracy is a tangible reality for us.”
At the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church, where the first mass meeting of the movement took place, a prominent leader addressed the gathering, highlighting the transformative impact of Selma on the country. He noted, however, a troubling trend of attempts to distort history and emphasized the need to persist in the struggle for justice.
“In the face of adversity, we must keep moving forward,” he declared to a crowd that included notable figures and supporters of the commemoration.
U.S. Representative from Alabama, Terri Sewell, called attention to the gathering taking place amidst growing threats to voting access.
Sewell pointed out the numerous voting restrictions that have emerged following the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate a critical provision of the Voting Rights Act, which mandated jurisdictions with histories of racial discrimination to acquire approval for new voting laws from the Justice Department.
This week, Sewell reintroduced a bill aimed at restoring that requirement, a measure that has faced repeated obstacles in Congress. The legislation honors John Lewis, the late congressman who led the Bloody Sunday march.
The day concluded with a poignant ceremony and march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, echoing the historical path taken by the marchers in 1965. Mauldin was part of that pivotal line led by Lewis and Hosea Williams.
“Our resolve was so robust that we were prepared to confront any challenge. We were not just courageous; we were determined and indignant,” Mauldin reflected on the moment.
Mauldin, who suffered an injury during the confrontation, believes law enforcement aimed to provoke a riot amidst the chaos.
Kirk Carrington, who was only 13 during Bloody Sunday, recounted how a white man on horseback pursued him back to his home, creating a terrifying memory.
Carrington began marching in response to witnessing his father’s mistreatment post-World War II. Standing in the same church where he learned non-violent protest techniques, he found himself moved to tears by the progress made by his community.
“When we began marching, we had no notion of the profound impact our actions would have across America and the world,” he shared.
Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson, a Selma native, recounted the expectations of subservience faced by Black individuals in her youth, highlighting how far society has come—but also acknowledging the distance yet to travel.
Both Dawson and Mauldin expressed apprehension regarding potential dismantling of critical federal programs. Concern arises from governmental initiatives to end diversity and inclusion efforts.
Support from the federal government has historically been essential for advancing justice and equality for Black Americans, and neglecting this support could result in a return to the pre-civil rights era, affirmed Dawson.
“It is tragic to consider that 60 years later, we might witness a regression to the 1950s,” Dawson concluded.
