Selma declares annual honor for Civil Rights activist Frederick Douglas Reese
March 15 will be known as “F.D. Reese Day” in Selma.
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Updated: 2:26 PM CST Feb 14, 2021
The Associated Press
March 15 will be known as “F.D. Reese Day” in Selma.
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Updated: 2:26 PM CST Feb 14, 2021
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Ah, part of the historic Civil Rights Act passed in 1964 gave African Americans a right. They desperately wanted a chance to vote. We were determined to get the right for all people, regardless of the color of their skin. Selma native and civil rights activist Dr Frederick D. Reese was a big advocate for African American voting rights. During the 19 sixties, Reese was the head of the Dallas County Voters League. The civil rights leader was no stranger to opposition here. Reese a scene with Dallas County Sheriff Jim Clark with a billy club shoved in his stomach. And if you think you had it rough in Birmingham with Bull Connor, you never met Sheriff Jim Clark. Civil rights historian Kenneth Malan ized. Mr Clarke had no qualms about beating up old women pastors, Children who dared to register to vote. Despite the obstacles, the group's determination to register to vote never faded away. Free says they needed outside help. I signed the official invitation, inviting Dr King to come to sell to further assist us. Dr Martin Luther King and others with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference came to Selma. They helped orchestrate three Selma to Montgomery. March is the 1st March was inspired by the death of civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was killed by an Alabama state trooper. Dr. Reese vividly remembers the march later known as Bloody Sunday. Jim Clark and deputies will cross the highway, and we were told that we would not be allowed to march across the bridge on the way to Montgomery. We had already decided that we would not be turned unless we return. The leaders on the front line kneel down to pray, and when they dropped on their knees to pray, all hell broke loose. I saw blood flowing. Pandemonium broke out in the crowd and state of disbelief that this was happening. The United States of America. Two days later, a second attempt to march was stalled after leaders decided to head back home. It was later known as turnaround Tuesday. Then, on March 21st, more than 25,000 people on this wasn't just for African Americans. All races and genders from around the world took to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, hiking down Highway 82 Montgomery, averaging 10 miles a day for five days. They arrived at the state's capital. How long? Not long, because you shall reap what you sow the same place. Dr. King delivered her speech entitled How Long? Not Long, Our God Is Marching on Glory. Hallelujah, Glory, New York, Allow Hella New York Distribution, E said. On that platform on, I looked out over that sea of humanity. It's our great feeling of great triumph and victory now. In 1965 Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. It was then signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.