what s amazing is he is he was a young man in his early 20s standing side by side with goliaths of the movement today. even dr. martin luther king was still relatively young at the time was emerged that has huge figure. and when you look at the footage of bloody sunday and see the still pictures of the group of a couple hundred protesters at the base of the bridge standing face to face with state troopers, you see john lewis s face. there s one terrifying photo of a trooper bringing down a club on john lewis s head. he was nearly killed that day so for this he s a folk hero not just in the movement and selma but across the country for so many people and not just a man like john lewis who everyone knows and loves and applauds for his efforts. there were so many people whose names we simply don t know. or you don t know outside of this community.
the dynamics we saw in the early days between the younger more radical activists and dr. king and others from selma. so we saw firsthand and we continue to see it. remember during there was the march on washington a couple months wrago where a group from ferguson took to the microphone and demanded a look at what s happening in ferguson and an end to the killing of unarmed black men by police. so they traveled. they re getting themselves into these situations but they re doing so in a manner which rubs some the wrong way but they re pushing harder and the president has referenced this is part and parcel of what it means to be an american, the opportunity to express your views. as we were seeing earlier during the president s passionate speech about 45 minutes to an hour ago we heard the crowd cheering throughout. what parts do you think the
what a solemn debt we owe. which leads us to ask just how might we repay that debt. first and foremost, we have to recognize that one day s commemoration, no matter how special is not enough. if selma taught us anything, it s that our work is never done. the american experiment and self-government gives work and purpose to each generation. selma teaches us, as well, that action requires that we shed our cynicism. for when it comes to the pursuit of justice, we can afford neither complacency nor despair. just this week i was asked whether i thought the department of justices ferguson report shows that with respect to race
soar! and we will not grow weary for we believe in the power of an awesome god and we believe in this country s sacred promise! may he bless those warriors of justice no longer with us and bless the united states of america. thank you, everybody. we have just been watching president barack obama giving a rousing speech from the foot of the bridge in selma, alabama, where 50 years ago today was bloody sunday. there he is shaking hands with president george w. bush and former first lady laura bush. also in the crowd today as you just saw, president obama shaking hands, congressman john lewis who was there, an organizer of this event 50 years ago today. in the crowd today is msnbc s
the speeches ever made. he said the time has come, i believe sincerely that no force can hold it back. it is right eyes in god that is sure to come. he said at time history and fate neither a thing or place a turning point so it was in lexington and concord. so it was in selma, alabama. each of us must go back to our homes after the celebration. and build on a legacy of the