1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Book cover - Marching to Freedom - Selma 1965

Prototype cover of my photographic book covering the 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March. - Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965

Stephen Somerstein thumbnail biography

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Chronology: Killing of Jimmy Lee Jackson and Edmund Pettus Bridge protest march beatings by state troopers, created the seed that led to the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March.

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

City College of New York (CCNY) students sleeping ovenight on the bus after leaving Montgomery, Alabama, following the conclusion of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march. CCNY Student Government President John Zippert, with glasses, is reclining in rear center aisle. - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-007-34)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

City College of New York student napping and smoking on bus on way to Selma to Montgomery civil rights march. Wearing "WE SHALL OVERCOME" button. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-002-32.)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Final day for Selma to Montgomery march camp and assembly area at City of St. Jude School. Woman with furled American flag handing water bottle to still abed marchers - On March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-003-09)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Media reporters on children's swings at City of St. Jude school, playing and writing copy, while waiting for Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March to form, before heading to the Alabama state capital building. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-003-03)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Young African-American civil rights marchers singing as they marched along the road on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-006a-56)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Roadside bystanders watching the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers pass by. Ubiquitous Coca Cola signs on stores. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-03)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Canadian marcher carrying young injured negro boy on his shoulders on road to Montgomery, Alabama; March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-09)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Three Teamster Union members with New York City Local 239, displaying signs supporting Civil Rights. Gathering at assembly point at City of St. Jude School athletic field, outskirts of Montgomery, Alabama. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-009-17a)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr., father of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the City of St. Jude School athletic field, prior to the final push of the Selma March to the Alabama State Capital building in Montgomery. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-12)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Rabbi Jim Leatherer from Saginaw, Michigan speaking to Catholic priests at City of St. Jude School march staging area. Jewish civil rights marcher with only one leg. Marched the full 53 miles distance from Selma to Montgomery on crutches. - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-03)

1965 Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March

Elderly, venerable, African-American man with cigar, at City of St. School camp grounds, preparing to march to Montgomery, Alabama state capital building with Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights marchers. Every generation was represented in the march. - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-009-18)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Men and woman at City of St. Jude School assembly field, preparing to march with American flag to the state capital in Montgomery, Alabama - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-25)

1965 Selma To Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Young boys with "UAW" (United Auto Workers) paper hats playing with strings on the City of St, Jude School athletic field, before the march assembly. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-003-06_001)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Snaking line of Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers forming on grounds of the City of St. Jude school, prior to marching to the state capital building in Montgomery. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-22)

1965 Selma To Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Civil rights leaders, at head of 25,000 Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers and children, gathered at the exit gate of the City of St. Jude School in Montgomery, Alabama, to march to the state capital building in Montgomery. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) president John Lewis in light vest, behind children. On his right is Reverend Ralph Abernathy and on his right is his wife Juanita. The three children in front of the Abernathy's are theirs. The child on the right, with turned head, is Donzaleigh Abernathy, On March 25, 1965. In Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-009-25_007)

1965 Selma To Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

March 25, 1965: Final day of Selma march to state capital. Head of march. Nuns, priests, civil rights leaders: •Left front folded arms: Rev. Arthur Matott Presbyterian Minister, Perth Amboy, NJ •2nd left: John Lewis, Head of SNCC •3rd left, 2nd row: Andrew Young •4th left, front: Sister Mary Leoline Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March - Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-07)

1965 Selma To Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Children standing and seated on steps of porch while looking at marchers on Route 80, Jefferson Davis Highway on way to the state capital in Montgomery. Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March; March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-12a)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25, 1965: Children seated on rear of porch of home, with two men sitting on edge of porch, while watching Selma to Montgomery, Alabama marchers passing by in front of home on way to the state capital. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-14)

1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March, March 25, 1965: Two young black girls on porch, watching Selma marchers pass by on way to the state capital in Montgomery. Left girl with striped hood and clapsed hands, right younger one with right hand on ledge. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-11)

1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Two mothers with children drinking from milk bottles, on their porch, watching Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers pass by on Route 80, The Jefferson Davis Highway. March 25, 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March; March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-10)

1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Black children & teenager watching from their porch the line of Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers, on their way to the state capital. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-09b)

1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Young man marching with "VOTE" using white zinc oxide sunburn cream to write his convictions on his forehead: The reason for the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-21)

1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama long line of civil rights marchers along Route 80, The Jefferson Davis Highway. Marcher breaks away to speak with older black women about the reason for the march. On March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (SelmaMarch_1965_66-002-06)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

White and black civil rights marchers traveling along route 80, Jefferson Davis Highway on their way to the state capital in Montgomery, Alabama. American flag carried in center of image. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_66-002-09)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Nine African-American women and two children watching Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-13.jpg

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Elderly African-American couple on porch of ramshackle home watching the 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama marchers pass by. Taken along route 80, Jefferson Davis Highway on road to Montgomery. On March 25, 1965 outside of Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-06)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Umbrella-hatted black marcher - Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march. March 25, 1965. Photo taken along road on Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-001-10a)

1965 Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March

Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March, March 25, 1965: Black family watching Selma marchers. Elders on porch, children in front, one jumping in air in exuberance. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-13a)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

African-American woman with crutches waving, with young boy and older women watching with family the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers pass in front of their home. Young boy in front hanging on gate. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-17a)

1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Front of Selma to Montgomery civil rights march, with march leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with wife Coretta Scott king in front of march exiting the City of St. Jude School - On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-004-21)

1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march

Early arrivals welcoming Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers at intermediate march break. Route 80, Jefferson Davis Highway - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-010-12)

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Watching Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march. Two African-American men seated on cement blocks, while watching marchers. {COLOR} Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-17)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

African-American older men and women standing and sitting in front of home, while watching Selma to Montgomery marchers pass by. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-06)

1965 Selma To Montgomery civil rights march

Six African-American adults seated on old, colorful, dilapidated porch, watching the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers pass by on route 80, Jefferson Davis Highway. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-14)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers, crossing intersection, with Federalized National Guards troops and U.S. Army MPs guarding them, by blocking off cross streets - Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-009-23)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March; March 25, 1965: View of street crossroads with U.S. Army MPs and troops guarding the marchers, with crowd watching civil rights marchers walk by. Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-02)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Church elders arrayed across steps of Mt. Zion AME Church, watching Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers pass before them. Montgomery, Alabama. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-18)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Two young African-American boys, in foreground, standing in street with onlookers, watching Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers parade towards the Alabama state capital in Montgomery. - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-08)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Elderly African-American woman waving to Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers. - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-011-16)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March

Group of white spectators in front of and from within office building, watching Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March. Two women filming event. - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_66-001-10)

Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March

Man wearing white United Auto Workers (UAW) union cap, with American flag in background, marching with Selma to Montgomery civil rights group. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_007-19)

Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March

White hecklers yelling and making ugly gestures at the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers, as they marched up Dexter Avenue to the Alabama state capital building. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-006-05)

Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March

White hecklers yelling at the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers, as they marched up Dexter Avenue to the Alabama state capital building. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-006-04)

Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March

Two opinions: White hecklers yelling at the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers, as they marched up Dexter Avenue to the Alabama state capital building. The man in the dark suit on the right is clapping in approval of the marchers. March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-005-34)