Selma: Crossing The Bridge, Documentary

MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Feb. 18, 2015 - PRLog -- In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, Voice of the Faithful New Jersey will present a documentary and discussion of Selma:  Crossing the Bridge at 3:30 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2015, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 100 Harter Road, Morristown, NJ.

The Civil Rights Act outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin became law in 1964, but it was soon evident that further legislation was vital to insure that all citizens could exercise their right to vote.  Selma, Alabama, a town of about 14,000 people in 1965, had less than 300 registered voters because of the difficult battery of literacy tests to which prospective voters were subjected.

Using actual footage in many places, simulation in others, and the actual, sometimes crude, recorded words of President Lyndon B. Johnson, this moving documentary, produced by the History Channel, follows the struggle for voting rights beginning in January 1965 to the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in March, and the passage of the Voting Rights Act in August, 1965.

In the historic words of President Johnson:  “A century has passed since the day of promise. And the promise is unkept…The time of justice has now come. I tell you that I believe sincerely that no force can hold it back. It is right in the eyes of man and God that it should come…This great, rich, restless country can offer opportunity and education and hope to all: black and white, North and South, sharecropper and city dweller…we shall overcome.”

Those who came to Selma in 1965 to march were people of many different faiths, including Roman Catholic nuns and priests.  Three area priests, Gerry Gannon, Bob Call, and Frank Heinan, will be present to recount their experiences and different perspectives and to answer questions following the showing of the documentary.

All are welcome. There is no charge for the program. Liturgy will follow the discussion period.

For more information please visit www.votfnj.org