SELMA, Ala. — Sheyann Webb-Christburg was just eight years old when she witnessed the violent clash that changed history. Standing at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965, she saw law enforcement officers beat and gas peaceful demonstrators. Now, 60 years later, she returned to the same spot, reflecting on what had been won—and what was still at risk.
A Historic Moment Remembered
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Selma on Sunday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. The annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee, which honors the marchers who fought for Black voting rights, drew attendees from across the country.
Among them was Webb-Christburg, who as a child was nicknamed “the youngest foot soldier” of the Selma movement. For her, the fight is not over.
“Back in the ’60s, we fought to gain the right to vote,” she said. “Today, in 2025, we are still fighting to hold that right to vote through the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. That’s sad.”
The commemoration brought together civil rights leaders, elected officials, and everyday citizens determined to keep the movement’s legacy alive. In past years, figures like President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris attended. This time, conversations centered on what the struggle means for a new generation.
The Power of Young Voices
Webb-Christburg’s message to young people was clear: their voices matter. As she spoke, she referenced recent debates over protests on college campuses and efforts to limit demonstrations.
“I think that they are the voices of hope, our vessels of change and certainly our instruments of peace and progress,” she said.
Many in the crowd echoed her sentiments. Among them were high school and college students carrying signs bearing the names of civil rights icons. Some wore shirts that read, “We March On,” a reminder that the fight for justice is far from over.
From Tragedy to Change
The events of Bloody Sunday were a turning point in American history. On March 7, 1965, hundreds of civil rights activists attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery to demand voting rights. As they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met with brutal force.
Images of police officers attacking the marchers shocked the nation, leading to widespread outrage. Two weeks later, after legal battles and national pressure, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led thousands on a successful march to Montgomery. Months later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, a landmark achievement in the fight against racial discrimination at the ballot box.
A Legacy at Risk?
While the Voting Rights Act remains one of the most significant civil rights victories, many believe its protections have weakened.
- The 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder removed a key provision requiring federal oversight of voting laws in certain states, leading to new voting restrictions.
- The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named after the late congressman who was beaten on Bloody Sunday, aims to restore those protections but has yet to pass.
- State legislatures across the country continue to introduce laws that critics argue disproportionately impact Black and minority voters.
For those gathered in Selma, these realities made Sunday’s event even more important.
Marching Forward
As the day’s ceremonies concluded, thousands made their way across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, retracing the steps of those who marched six decades ago. Among them was Rev. Bernard LaFayette, a leader in the Selma voting rights campaign, now in a wheelchair, holding his wife’s hand as he crossed.
For Webb-Christburg, the message remained simple: “You’ve got to use your gifts and your talents, because everyone has something to contribute to this world. Always believe in yourself and define yourself for yourself. Don’t let nobody else define you.”
Her words carried through the crowd, a reminder that while history was being honored, the future was still being written.
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