Congressman John Lewis was one of the many civil rights leaders who marched in Selma, Alabama 50 years ago today, and throughout the day, he has tweeted a dramatic recounting of the March and the horror of Bloody Sunday.
Here are all of Lewis’ tweets thus far:
50 yrs ago today, we set out to march from Selma to Montgomery to dramatize to the nation that people of color were denied the right to vote
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
Before we left a little church called Brown Chapel AME, we knelt and joined together in prayer. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/lNuu8VU6bg
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
About 600 of us left Brown Chapel AME to walk in an orderly, peaceful, nonviolent fashion. #Selma50
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
When we got to the apex of the bridge, down below we saw a sea of blue… #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/pI8rIB9K0f
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
… Alabama State Troopers #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/BuPxSRAOOx
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
When we came within hearing distance, a trooper identified himself and said, "I'm Major John Cloud of the Alabama State Troopers" #Selma50
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
He said, "This is an unlawful march. It will not be allowed to continue." #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/pW46cdL5zn
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
"I'll give you three minutes to disperse and return to your homes or to your church." #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/83ccHA99ef
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
The man walking beside me – co-leader of the march Hosea Williams – said "Major, give us a moment to kneel and pray." pic.twitter.com/3fvecGNnq3
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
The Major paused for a minute and then he said, "Troopers advance!" And you saw these men putting on their gas masks. pic.twitter.com/NDAkngX9kE
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
They came toward us beating us with nightsticks, bullwhips, trampling us with horses, releasing the teargas. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/s9Ey2ZavZA
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
I was hit in the head by a state trooper with a nightstick. My legs went out from under me. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/AOhJkaUvjz
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
I thought I saw death. I thought I was going to die. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/AhM8ujpsYi
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
I had a concussion there at the bridge, and I've never been able to recall how we made it back. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/AsB909DlgX
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
Lewis is in Selma today to commemorate the anniversary and spoke at the Edmund Pettus Bridge about the progress America has made in the past half-century.
[image via screengrab]
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