Edmund Pettus Bridge

The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, is a historical landmark infamous as the site of "Bloody Sunday" on March 7, 1965. On that day, state troopers violently attacked civil rights marchers advocating for voting rights. This event, widely televised, shocked the nation and galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The bridge is newsworthy now because activists and politicians recently gathered there to commemorate the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday. These gatherings highlight ongoing concerns about the future of the Voting Rights Act, particularly in light of recent challenges to voting access. The death of civil rights leader Bernard LaFayette, who played a crucial role in the Selma voter registration campaign, further underscores the bridge's historical significance and the continuing struggle for voting rights. The Edmund Pettus Bridge remains a potent symbol of the civil rights movement and a reminder of the ongoing fight for equal access to the ballot box.