WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution instructing the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring the 50th anniversary of the three historic civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in March 1965. The resolution is currently cosponsored by113 Senators and Representatives, including Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). 

“The brave women and men who marched from Selma to Montgomery fifty years ago risked their lives to demand full and equal participation in our democracy,” said Brown, who is a co-leader of the Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. “We must honor their legacy and continue the fight to ensure that all Americans have the freedom and opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights.”

“This resolution highlights a pivotal movement in America’s history, the Selma Voting Rights March that brought together Americans to march from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago. They marched with a truth—that all Americans share the same rights,” said Rep. Beatty. “Out of these efforts we passed the Voting Rights Act, a pivotal law that helped many obtain the right to vote.”

“Fifty years ago, hundreds of brave Americans set out on a peaceful march in search of equality and the simple freedom to participate in our democracy,” Portman stated. “I’m pleased to join Senator Brown and Representative Beatty on this important bill to honor those who worked tirelessly to advance the civil rights movement.”   

March 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of these historical marches from Selma to Montgomery.  Discrimination at the voting booths prevented the vast majority of African Americans from registering to vote.  This inspired hundreds of activists, including current Congressman John Lewis (GA-05), to non-violently protest by marching from Selma, Alabama to the State Capitol in Montgomery on March 7, 1965.  Their non-violent approach was abruptly halted when the protestors were attacked as they were leaving Selma.  Forced to retreat by state troopers, local lawmen, and citizens equipped with clubs, whips, and tear gas, dozens of protestors were injured, and this day earned its place in history as “Bloody Sunday.”

Images from this day moved a nation and mobilized a generation of activists to fight for equal rights.  On March 25, 1965, beaten but undeterred, these brave foot soldiers set off from Selma, marched 54 miles over the course of five days, and successfully reached the steps of the State Capitol in Montgomery as civil rights activists united to work to secure equality for all in our nation.

Brown, Beatty, and Portman will also attend this year’s Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Selma – beginning on Friday, March 6, 2015 – to mark the 50th anniversary of the marches. Brown, attending his fourth pilgrimage to Selma, will serve as a co-leader of the event. The weekend-long event – which is organized by the Faith and Politics Institute and chaired by Rep. Lewis – will have more than 90 other lawmakers in attendance and will include visits to Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, and Marion.

 

 

 

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