In Selma, Alabama, African Americans made up almost half the population, but only two percent were registered voters. Discrimination and intimidation tactics aimed at blacks kept them from registering and voting.
 |
| In March 1965, civil rights activists—including students and teachers— participated in a five-day, 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. |
Even though it was legal for African American's to vote, many states insisted on them passing a written test before being allowed into the voting booth. The test had ridiculously hard questions and most did not pass.
The 1965 Voting Rights Act was a natural follow up after the 1964 Civil Rights Act but it was a hard battle fought by African Americans.
It began on Sunday, March 21, 1965, when nearly 8,000 people began a five-day march from Selma to Montgomery to demand fair voting rights.
The movement practiced non-violence. The leaders asked the demonstrators not to fight back against anyone who committed violence against them during the peaceful protest. What did the demonstrators do when the heavily armed state troopers confronted them?
The marchers paused for a moment, then kept walking. The sheriff warned the people that they had two minutes to break up the march, but the deputies attacked sooner. The demonstrators were tear-gassed, clubbed, spat on, whipped, trampled by horses, and jeered by others for demanding the right to register to vote. Television and newspapers carried pictures of the event that became known as "Bloody Sunday."
The images sickened, outraged, and electrified people throughout the country. Within 48 hours, demonstrations in support of the marchers were held in 80 cities.
Many of the nation's religious and lay leaders, including Martin Luther King, flew to Selma. After one more failed attempt, King led a peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery. Congress responded to these events by enacting the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Here are two quality videos from the History channel. Please watch them both.
Freedom March is a less than 2 minutes video showing actual news footage of the event. Not the sad stuff. Just the cool stuff.
Comment on the Blog: based on what you see here what constitutes a non violent protest. How are the protesters dressed? How do they behave? Put yourself in their shoes and guess what they are feeling, physically and emotionally.
The marchers were dressed up and very formal looking. The behave in a peaceful and kind manner. Although, they are being rebellious. (For a good cause!) physically and emotionally I can bet they are feeling somewhat nervous. But I also guess is that they are feeling somewhat confident and empowered, considering this huge movement that they are accomplishing. I also think that they are scared, but maybe hopeful too.
ReplyDeleteA non violent protest is just what it sounds like. Even when the people you are standing up to fight against you, you do not fight back.
DeleteThe protestors were dressed in nice clothes and the acted in a none violent way. I think that they would have felt tired and discouraged and they would have been in a lot of pain but I think later they felt excited and still tired.
ReplyDeletewow! i think that they were feeling betrayed, scared, i could go on and on. it is a terrible thing they are doing!!!! i also think they were very happy and glad to be out of the mess. they were all wearing very dark clothes
ReplyDeletewow! i think that they were feeling betrayed, scared, i could go on and on. it is a terrible thing they are doing!!!! i also think they were very happy and glad to be out of the mess. they were all wearing very dark clothes
ReplyDeleteA non-violent protest is a protest in which you do not strike out even if you are acted upon violently. The protesters were dressed very nicely and they behaved with great dignity and bravery. I think if I was in their shoes, I would be proud to be helping and a little bit nervous of what would happen. I would also feel a bit weary after walking for 45 miles!
ReplyDeleteThey dressed overall neat ( some people wore lei like things which was cool), and they behaved peacefully and not violent at all. They didn't deserve to get beaten and gassed. If i was in their shoes I'm sure id feel exhausted after days of walking but also very driven, and probably somewhat afraid or nervous.
ReplyDeleteThey dressed like they are going to courthouse. They acted peacefully. I would be exhausted but be filled with determination to keep going.
ReplyDeleteA non-violent protest is when you don't react to someone hurting you. The protesters were dresses in nice looking clothes. Clothes that you would wear to a wedding or another formal occasion. They showed a lot of confidence and self-esteem. I bet they were all very tired during the march. A lot of them probably just wanted to quit and forget the whole thing and leave. They didn't though; they kept persevering even when the going got rough.
ReplyDeleteNon-violent protests are like when the blacks marched across the bridge. They didn't yell, or shout, or wave their fists, they just stood and walked towards the capitol (or something). They were all dressed in suits or nice clothes, some with hats that said "Freedom!" They behave in a calm way, and they didn't react with violence when the prejudiced white troopers attacked them. I think they would be feeling a little nervous going against, non-violently, troopers. I think that they had to just remind themselves over and over of their cause.
ReplyDeleteA non violent protest is a protest (wow) that is completely not physically damaging to the protested. It often has dignity and respect. I could not see any of the videos but I searched it up and got the basic idea. They were dressed with class and they looked overall very nice and sophisticated. And they behaved the same way they looked, with class. If I were in the shoes of one of them I probably would be very nervous or scared to see if I was going to get beaten. Physically I would be so sore from walking that far.
ReplyDeleteA non-violent protest is when there is no violence planned or used by the protest's marchers. The men were dressed in nice trenchcoats, hats, and ties. The women were in button-down sweaters and skirts/dresses. I would feel as determined as ever to make a change. And tired, as everyone else is saying. Also, I think it was cool that white people were in the crowd as well.
ReplyDeletethe protesters were dressed in normal 50s clothes (suits for men, dresses or skirts for women) and behaved like calm and collected people. I bet they were scared and some were preparing for anything to happen to them. they might have been cold, thirsty, hungry and maybe have blisters in their feet.
ReplyDeleteThe protesters are dressed nicely and their behavior is calm and collective. I'm sure they are probably feeling a bit excited, nervous and very proud. :)
ReplyDelete