Commemorating Bloody Sunday: The March for Voting Rights

Thousands gather in Selma to commemorate March 7, 1965.

Bloody Sunday Remembered - On March 7, 1965, 600 civil rights protesters demonstrating for the right of African-Americans to vote were attacked by state and local police officers who prevented them from completing their march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery. The violence led to the introduction of the Voting Rights Act. Each year, civil rights leaders, lawmakers and ordinary Americans journey to Alabama to mark the anniversary of what is now known as Bloody Sunday.   – Joyce Jones   (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

1 / 10

Bloody Sunday Remembered - On March 7, 1965, 600 civil rights protesters demonstrating for the right of African-Americans to vote were attacked by state and local police officers who prevented them from completing their march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery. The violence led to the introduction of the Voting Rights Act. Each year, civil rights leaders, lawmakers and ordinary Americans journey to Alabama to mark the anniversary of what is now known as Bloody Sunday.   – Joyce Jones  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Never Forget - More than 5,000 people participated in the 13th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama to mark the 48th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, including Vice President Joe Biden and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

2 / 10

Never Forget - More than 5,000 people participated in the 13th Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama to mark the 48th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, including Vice President Joe Biden and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Reflection - Biden and Lewis share a moment and an embrace before leading the group of thousands across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where the congressman was once beaten in 1965.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

3 / 10

Reflection - Biden and Lewis share a moment and an embrace before leading the group of thousands across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where the congressman was once beaten in 1965. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin

VP Lines - Marchers await the vice president's arrival to join them in the march.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

4 / 10

VP Lines - Marchers await the vice president's arrival to join them in the march. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin

Isn't It Ironic? - As Lewis and Biden prepare to lead a group across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate a march for Black voting rights, a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act is under attack.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

5 / 10

Isn't It Ironic? - As Lewis and Biden prepare to lead a group across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate a march for Black voting rights, a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act is under attack. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

ADVERTISEMENT
Taking the Lead - Selma Mayor George Evans, Rep. Terri Sewell, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Biden, Rev. Al Sharpton and Lewis link arms as they lead marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

6 / 10

Taking the Lead - Selma Mayor George Evans, Rep. Terri Sewell, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Biden, Rev. Al Sharpton and Lewis link arms as they lead marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

A Legacy - Martin Luther King III, son of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., speaks to Bloody Sunday marchers.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

7 / 10

A Legacy - Martin Luther King III, son of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., speaks to Bloody Sunday marchers. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Like Yesterday - Lewis points to the spot where he was brutally attacked by police officers 48 years ago.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

8 / 10

Like Yesterday - Lewis points to the spot where he was brutally attacked by police officers 48 years ago. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin

Speaking From Experience - Lewis delivers one of his trademark fiery speeches at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

9 / 10

Speaking From Experience - Lewis delivers one of his trademark fiery speeches at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. (Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin

By Any Means Necessary - Thousands of people -- young, old, Black and white – marked the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, including some who relied on the use of canes and wheelchairs to do so.(Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)

10 / 10

By Any Means Necessary - Thousands of people -- young, old, Black and white – marked the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, including some who relied on the use of canes and wheelchairs to do so.(Photo: AP Photo/Dave Martin)