Dozens of people have completed a multi-day re-enactment of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965. On March 7, 1965, hundreds of peaceful voting rights activists were attacked by Alabama state troopers, crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge as they attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery. “Bloody Sunday” was the first of three attempted marches, finally completed under federal protection and led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on March 24. Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama was among those taking part in the anniversary event.

Rep. Terri Sewell: “I think it’s so important to remember that this is not just one event in history, that this is really a movement for strengthening the Voting Rights Act, as well as remembering and preserving our past. You know, 50 years have passed, but there’s still a renewed assault on voting rights.”

Congressmember Sewell is the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress from Alabama.