Montgomery marchers emphasize ongoing civil rights struggle

Montgomery residents gathered to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March with the This Side of the Bridge march. Frederick Graham, who observed the original march as a child, joined the reenactment. He expressed disappointment at the smaller turnout, stressing the need for continued activism. "A lot of people think it's a privilege," he said, urging others to fight for their rights. The march, which started at St. Jude Catholic Church and ended at the Alabama Capitol, featured voices from both civil rights leaders and local residents. Acquanetta Poole, a participant from the Black Voters Matter organization, marched with her family to highlight the ongoing struggle for equal rights. She believes that rights are diminishing and emphasizes the need for equality regardless of race. GirlTREK, an organization focused on promoting walking for health among Black women, participated in the march. Tara Campbell, their director, explained that walking fosters solidarity and helps connect individuals with nature and community. She believes that collective action can bring about positive change. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed addressed the crowd at the capitol, highlighting the importance of voting in maintaining civil rights. He noted that many Black voters did not participate in the 2024 elections and stressed the need to remember the sacrifices made for the right to vote. Reed called for the march to have substance beyond just being a symbolic gesture.