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On Sunday, March 3, people from around the nation will
gather in Selma, Alabama, to reenact the 1965 crossing of the Edmund Pettus
Bridge, the beginning of the March from Selma to Montgomery that led to the
passage of the Voting Rights Act. The day later became known as Bloody Sunday
for those who were killed as the marchers were violently attacked by civilian assailants. James Reeb,
a 1953 Princeton Seminary graduate, was one of those killed. Read more about
Reeb, and read Martin Luther King Jr.’s eulogy at his funeral.
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PTS senior and Student Government president Jerria Martin, a
native of Selma, is one of the organizers of a march that will begin at the
Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee and then proceed to Montgomery, to arrive on the
steps of the Alabama Capitol on March 8, commemorating the 1965 march led by
Martin Luther King Jr.
“James Reeb answered God’s call with his life,” Jerria says.
“I heard my own calling when I was 18 years old and on the stage as queen of
the 2007 Bridge Crossing Jubilee. I answered the call by vowing to live a life
of service. Since that day, I have participated in and served on the planning
committee for every march. I am honored to be representing Princeton Seminary,
and honoring James Reeb, at this year’s march, where people from around the
nation will retrace the footsteps of courageous men and women of the past in
the cause of justice. We have crossed many bridges in our country since 1965,
but there are more to cross as we unite to work on issues of education,
immigration, and gun violence.” .jpg "jerria and obama")
PTS is proud of Jerria’s commitment to this action to bring
attention not only to this day in the history of the civil rights movement and
of the nation, but also to focus on current attacks on voting rights, and
remind us that civil rights for all is still a pressing issue today.
Speakers will include Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and more. Find more information about the February 28–March 8 events.
Today I had the privilege to meet with Jesse Jackson. We discussed several issues and event had a brief discussion about James Reeb, whom he remembers well!
Following my meeting with Jesse, I presented the Unity Prayer at the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Brunch, where Vice President Joe Biden spoke.
I also participated in the Bridge Crossing Reenactment this afternoon, marching next to Martin L. King III and Attorney General Eric Holder.
Tomorrow we begin the march from Selma to Montgomery and I’ll be on the front line. More updates as the week goes on!
Blessings,
Jerria