The Selma March: A Historic Civil Rights Movement

The Goal of the Selma March

The Selma March, also known as the Selma-to-Montgomery March for voting rights, was a historic event that took place in March 1965. This event was organized by civil rights activists to demand equal voting rights for African Americans in the United States. The main goal of the Selma March was to insist that Governor Wallace secure voting rights for African Americans in Alabama and across the country.

The Importance of Voting Rights

Voting rights were a crucial aspect of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. African Americans faced systemic barriers, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, that prevented them from exercising their right to vote. The Selma March aimed to bring attention to these barriers and call for federal legislation to protect the voting rights of African Americans.

President Lyndon Johnson's Address

On March 17, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress to support the Selma Marchers and urge the passage of federal voting rights legislation. He emphasized the need to eliminate discriminatory practices that hindered African Americans from voting and highlighted the importance of protecting the right to vote for all citizens.

The Legacy of the Selma March

The Selma March was a turning point in the civil rights movement and played a significant role in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This legislation prohibited racial discrimination in voting and sought to ensure equal voting rights for all Americans. The Selma March remains a symbol of perseverance, determination, and the fight for equality.

What is the goal of the Selma March?

The goal of the Selma March was to insist that Governor Wallace secure voting rights for African Americans and call for federal voting rights legislation to protect them from barriers that prevented them from voting.