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

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.

Stephen Somerstein thumbnail biography

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City College of New York (CCNY) students sleeping overnight on bus departing Montgomery, Alabama. after the conclusion of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march. Student seated in center rear aisle is John Zippert, City College of New York Student Government President. Zippert ended up going back to the South that summer in 1965, where he joined a Congress of Racial Equality organizing project and worked with black farmers on marketing their sweet potatoes. When September came, he stayed, married and is editor of a local newspaper, THE GREENE COUNTY DEMOCRAT NEWSPAPER.

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Woman (Negro) CCNY student, wearing "WE SHALL OVERCOME BUTTON", smoking and napping on bus traveling from New York to Alabama - (Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March; March 25, 1965

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers stowing their sleeping gear after overnight camping at City of St. Jude school grounds. Preparing to assemble to march to state capital building in Montgomery. On March 25, 1965 ouside of central Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Final 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 at City of St. Jude School in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen Somerstein)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Disassembling wooden stands from previous night's performance and speeches for 1965 Selma civil rights marchers, on grounds of the City of St. Jude School - On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein)

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Priests offering drink to Negro marcher at City of St. Jude camp - 1965 Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March - March 25, 1965

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Elderly, venerable Negro man at City of St. School camp grounds preparing to march to Montgomery, AL state capital building with Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Three Teamster Union members, Local 239, with signs supporting civil rights. Field of City of St. Jude School, preparing for the concluding Selma civil rights march into Montgomery. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Young boys with United Auto Workers (UAW) caps playing on grounds of City of St. Jude School during assembly of 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights march - On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

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Reporters on swings at City of St. Jude school, while waiting for march to form. TRAILWAYS bus in rear - 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March, March 25, 1965

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Rabbi Jim Leatherer from Saginaw, Michigan. Jewish civil rights marcher with only one leg. Marched the full 53 miles distance from Selma to Montgomery on crutches. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Two civil rights marchers conversing at City of St. Jude school grounds, prior to final Selma to Montgomery march to the Alabama state captial. - On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein)

MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Artist sketching Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers at City of St. Jude school grounds. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Artist sketching Selma to Montgomery civil rights marchers at City of St. Jude school grounds. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama.

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Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March; James Baldwin, author. Head shot. March 25, 1965

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Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr., father of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March., at the City of St. Jude School athletic field, with 25,000 marchers, prior to marching to the steps of the Alabama state capital building in Montgomery. March 25, 1965. Born: December 19, 1899, Stockbridge, GA Died: November 11, 1984, Atlanta, GA

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March; March 23-25, 1965; Negro boy with "VOTE" whitewashed onto head. Either Lewis Marshall or Bobby Simmons

Original file: SOMERSTEIN_FR21B Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March; March 25, 1965; Negro boy with "VOTE" written with white zinc oxide on head. INFO FROM Mat Herron's page: 'Vote' Marcher, Bobby Simmons, wearing zinc oxide to prevent sunburn writes his convictions on his forehead. After he walked all the way to Montgomery, he said: "You be rejoicing once you accomplish your goal and get there. I never seen so many people. It was just people galore. As far as you could see back by eyes there were people, just standing, and nobody seemed to get tired." INFO FROM "SIXTIES SURVIVORS"- Lewis Marshall, Flag Bearer Lewis Marshall - The photographs shot on the Selma to Montgomery march have continued to inspire others. Images of Lewis Marshall have ended on the covers of books and on a postage stamp. (The stamp photo is by Bruce Davidson.) Davidson image has same young man as my image. In 2006, the National Park Service built the Lowndes (County) Interpretive Center museum half way between Selma and Montgomery. In one of the displays at this excellent museum, the curators reproduced an image of Lewis Marshall, along with a one-legged white marcher named Jim Letherer, in the room about the successful march.

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Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March, March 25, 1965: Negro man with white UAW union cap and sunglasses next to American flag cutting across image.

Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March, March 24-26, 1965: Men and woman marching with large American flag on field of City of St. Jude School. Preparing to leave for State Capital in Montgomery, Alabama

Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March, March 23-25, 1965: Men and woman marching with large American flag on field of City of St. Jude School

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Snaking line of civil rights marchers forming on grounds of the City of St. Jude school, prior to marching into Montgomery, Alabama - Selma To Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March, March 25, 1965

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: 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/Getty Images)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Front of Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights march leaving City of St. Jude school grounds. Dr. King and wife Coretta in front surrounded by civil rights leaders, marchers and reporters. Followed by line of 25,000 marchers snaking across school grounds. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: 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 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)

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Selma to Montgomery Alabama civil rights marchers assembling at City of St. Jude school grounds, for final march to the capital building in Montgomery. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers leaving City of St. Jude School on way to state capital in Montgomery, Alabama. SOMERSTEIN_010-27

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: Selma To Montgomery Civil Rights March, March 25, 1965: Head of march. Nuns, priests, civil rights leaders - Leaving from City of St. Jude school grounds- •1st row, on left: Rev. Dominic T. "Dom" Orsini, priest with eye patch (half view) •1st row, 2nd from left front: folded arms: Rev. Arthur Matott Presbyterian Minister, Perth Amboy, NJ •1st row, 3rd left: John Lewis, Head of SNCC, (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) •1st row, 4th left, front: Sister Mary Leoline, Kansas City, MO •1st row, 5th left front (furthest to right): San Francisco Theological Seminary president, Dr. Theodore Gill •2nd row, 1st on left. Charles Rangel, student, City College of New York (later became New York Congressman) On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being interviewed by news reporter

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being interviewed by news reporter at conclusion of 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama Civil Rights March. March 25, 1965

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

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)

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 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)

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

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

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

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)

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil Rights March, March 25, 1965: Black children & teenager watching marchers from their porch.

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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

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

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MONTGOMERY, AL - MARCH 25: 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/Getty Images)

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 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, 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)

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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, 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

Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers, African-American and white, passing by house with black multi-generational family on their porch in the outskirts of Montgomery, Alabama. - March 25, 1965 Photo by Stephen F. Somerstein© 1965 (File # SelmaMarch_1965_35-009-19)