Marching in Selma with Jesse and Ethel

Kennedy and Jackson. I was there Sunday. Here is my report at baptistlife.com/forums Baptist History if you want to follow the conversation there and click on more links to put it in perspective. I'm sure Annie Lucas Brown has been, but I did not see anyone Sunday from the Collinsville Public Library though I did have a good conversation with Myles Smith last night at Jack's about what kind of public library in the most ethnically diverse town in the state might do if they were to be deserving of the kind of money they continue to ask for.
But that is beside the point to some extent for the purposes of this blog.

I rode down with a friend, a Muslim international student from a nearby Junior College who wanted to go for the History. I had very much wanted to go in 2007 but didn't make it to be there with Bill and Hillary and later to become President Obama.
But the weather was great Sunday and RFK's Widow was there as you see in the slide show below. Several Hispanics with an emphasis on repealing the Anti Immigration Bill at the Pep Ralley before the March on the steps of the Historic Brown's Chapel AME Church.
Mary Liuzzo, the daughter of Civil Rights Martyr Viola Liuzzo was present and near the front with the folks named in the article. In the crowd I met Hispanic Activists from D.C. and LA and Kansas and Kentucky; one good Baptist from Appalachia and a Bright U Bama student from Tuscaloosa; a Catholic who attends mass with Coach Nick Saban's wife.
Talked Several times to former Bama Gov Don Siegelman, and spoke to Ben Chavis.

I desperately wanted to say something to Jesse Jackson about our mutual friend Marshall Frady, but never had the opportunity without annoying folks near the front of the line.
Was Great, a Spiritual moment for me as I am aware of several stories of folks from Furman who were there that day in 65. And I felt like my MOmma and Dad and Stewart Newman were there with me.
I hope to go again for the 50th Anniversary March in 2015. Hope John Lewis is able to be there that day. My sister was strongly considering joining me, even some other friends from Collinsville. I think strong contingent from bcoc.net will be there in 2015 and wouldn't be surprised to see Aaron Weaver there, if the weather is grand as was Sunday.
I think at least 7,000 marched and another 2,000 lined the streets and another 1,000 waiting for us on the bridge and the other side. At least a mile march, more like mile and half before it is over; then you have to walk back to the car. But it was great for me. Friend in Bham bought me the two catfish dinner at the cracker barrel that night going back through.
It was great and I Deserved for That Great Day and Sweet Time in Jesus.

Oh, I got the word to almost every person I spoke to about Albert Lee SMith's widow introducing Kris Kobach to Scott Beason and the imperative they, like everyone who reads this testimony, read the current issue of the Mother Jones expose, 8 pages with a page profile of Kobach. I think there will be a strong word spoken to the Governon on Friday in Montgomery


Here is story from Monday Bham News and below are two select pictures from the slide show

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/03/sel ... pital.html
One photo has me before the March starts in yellow shirt to right of picture cheering on John Lewis; and the next shows Ethel and Lewis and others in the March. Click around to see the whole slate of pictures from the Bham News

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> http://photos.al.com/birmingham-news/20 ... ch_14.html





al.com

http://photos.al.com/birmingham-news/20 ... rch_6.html

"I'm the only sane {person} in here." Doyle Hargraves, Slingblade
"Midget, Broom; Helluva campaign". Political consultant, "Oh, Brother..."