In 1965, 600 Americans set out on foot toward Montgomery,
Alabama, marching for a fairer America where all eligible
citizens could register to vote and cast a ballot without fear
or intimidation—and have their votes counted. But when they
reached the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, the marchers were met
by state troopers, who ordered the "unlawful assembly" to
disperse. As they knelt to pray, the peaceful protesters were
brutally attacked by 150 troopers with billy clubs and tear gas.
Fifty-eight people, including a 25-year-old John Lewis, were
sent to the hospital with injuries. March 7, 1965, became known
as Bloody Sunday. In 2013, more than 15,000 citizens re-creating
the march were joined by the Vice President of the United
States, who crossed the bridge arm-in-arm with Congressman Lewis
and many others who led the fight for voting rights. We've made
a tremendous amount of progress in 48 years. But even in 2013,
the fight continues. Right now, the Supreme Court is considering
challenges to the Voting Right