President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and roughly 100 members of Congress will be in Selma, Ala., on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of a watershed moment in the civil rights movement.
“Bloody Sunday,” when police attacked peaceful marchers near the Edmund Pettusbridge in Selma, preceded the march from Selma to Montgomery, an event crucial to the approval of the Voting Rights Act in late 1965.
Obama, who will also be accompanied by his daughters Malia and Sasha, will first lead a tribute on the Edmund Pettus Bridge to mark the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.” The Obamas will then join marchers in a recreation of the walk across the bridge.
Former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will also be in Selma, along with thousands of other people from across the country. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who was part of the original “Bloody Sunday” march, will lead the congressional delegation.
Noticeably absent from Selma this weekend is Republican leadership, including House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Only late Friday did House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy say he would be attending.
Lower-ranking Republicans, such as Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina, and Rep. Martha Roby, of Alabama, will be in Selma. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, is also in attendance.
Below are tweets from lawmakers in Selma.
Great to be in Alabama for #Selma50! #FPI15 @GOPLeader pic.twitter.com/Kdg1Ig5RT1
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) March 7, 2015
Gathering for the #Selma March Jubilee with @USRepGaryPalmer, Martha, and @HurdOnTheHill. pic.twitter.com/qQVe2AhJ3j
— French Hill (@RepFrenchHill) March 7, 2015
Chloe & I at historic #Selma Brown Chapel #FPI15 to start exciting day pic.twitter.com/uvW7MtS05g
— US Rep Kathy Castor (@USRepKCastor) March 7, 2015
On the road to #Selma to commemorate the historic efforts of the foot soldiers! #EdmundPettusBridge #Selma #FPI15 pic.twitter.com/wWhxYZkt7E
— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) March 7, 2015
Traveling to #Selma to honor 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday & the heroes fighting for right to vote #MarchOn pic.twitter.com/roZyuG0nF8
— Elizabeth Esty (@RepEsty) March 7, 2015
Today is the 50th anniversary of the March in Selma. A crucial- historic moment in the #CivilRightsMovement #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/8gkTVG7exU
— Jose E. Serrano (@RepJoseSerrano) March 7, 2015
Inside the 16th Street Baptist Church, a pivotal location in moving forward the civil rights movement. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/VW44sTyVgw
— Rep. Will Hurd (@HurdOnTheHill) March 7, 2015
Today our nation turns to Selma to pay tribute to hundreds of men & women who marched for their civil rights on “Bloody Sunday” 50 years ago
— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) March 7, 2015
#Selma50 is both an opportunity to honor the heroism of those who marched and to recommit ourselves to ending all injustice in our nation.
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) March 7, 2015
50 years later, we honor their courage #Selma pic.twitter.com/CetfGUqIhI
— Senator Deb Fischer (@SenatorFischer) March 7, 2015
