Safety Concerns Cut Short Selma’s Historic Bridge Crossing Celebration

The final day of the 61st Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Selma ended early due to two apparently unrelated shootings that caused organizers to be concerned about safety.

The Jubilee

The annual event brought hundreds to recreate the 1965 voting rights march that led to "Bloody Sunday". That is the event that occurred on March 7, 1965, when marchers crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge encountered bill club wielding Alabama State Troopers and horse mounted Dallas County Sheriff's Deputies intent on halting the march with bloody force.

Activists, celebrities and politicians crossed the bridge under police protection this time as they sought to emphasize the message that voting rights are again under threat.

West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell led a congressional delegation to the commemoration. "61 years ago, brave Americans in my hometown of Selma were beaten and bloodied on the Edmund Pettus Bridge while peacefully demonstrating for the right of all Americans to vote." Sewell stated.

"Today, in prayerful reflection, we honored their sacrifices by crossing the bridge one more time. The events of #BloodySunday galvanized the nation and brought us the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In these troubling times, they serve as a reminder of the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change."

The long weekend celebration was filled with commemorations, speakers, and community events honoring the legacy of the civil rights movement. It was marked with remembrances of two civil rights legends, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Bernard LaFayette, a civil rights leader and planner of the original Selma march each died in the days before this year's jubilee.

The Violence

The joy of the weekend was marred by two separate shootings that left six people injured, one that took place near jubilee activities.

"While the overwhelming majority of the weekend was peaceful and inspiring," new Selma Mayor Johnny Moss, III wrote in a letter to the media and public, "...the incidents of gun violence that occurred are deeply troubling and unacceptable. Reckless acts like this endanger innocent people and threaten the spirit of what this weekend represents."

Selma Police released a statement saying the two shootings were target incidents and not directly related to jubilee events. They added that they expect arrests soon.

The jubilee was shut down earlier than its scheduled 6:00pm end Sunday due to safety concerns for the crowd and man dignitaries.