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Thousands Gather to Commemorate Selma Anniversary

It's been 50 years since activists gathered to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to bring awareness and change to the south. During that time, it was very difficult for African Americans to vote, mostly due to resistance and discrimination in the form of literacy tests and voter registration restrictions.

This weekend, thousands gathered to remember the brave citizens who spoke out against the discrimination and who helped raise awareness for the need of a Voting Rights Act, which eventually was passed.

President Obama and former President George W. Bush, along with more than 100 congress members attended some of the events in Alabama. While remembering the violence the peaceful protesters faced during that march in 1965, President Obama reminded onlookers of the progress that's been made and the work that's left to do.

Five months after the historic march in Alabama, congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which banned racial discrimination in voting. This was a giant step for the civil rights movement, a time period that focused on equal treatment for all Americans.

stephanie.jarvis@ideastream.org | 216-916-6340