Obama praises Selma 'heroes' 50 yearsafter march

US President Barack Obama has marked the
50th anniversary of the Selma civil rights march
in Alabama by paying tribute to the "heroes"
who took part.
He delivered a speech commemorating "Bloody
Sunday" on 7 March 1965, when security forces
attacked black demonstrators in the city.
Mr Obama said the marchers, who were
campaigning for equal voting rights, had "given
courage to millions".
His wife Michelle and about 100 members of
Congress also attended the event.
"Because of what they did, the doors of
opportunity swung open not just for African-
Americans, but for every American," he said,
standing in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge
where the violence took place.
A crowd of some 40,000 people watched as Mr
Obama and his family led a symbolic walk across
part of the bridge, accompanied by those who
had made the march in 1965. Police beat and used tear gas on demonstrators
as they made their way over the crossing, on a
day that became known as "Bloody Sunday".
That event, and a follow-up march from Selma to
Montgomery two weeks later, helped build
momentum for approval of the Voting Rights Act
by Congress later that year.
The legislation, pushed by President Lyndon
Johnson, removed all barriers preventing African-
Americans from registering as voters.
'Sweat and tears'
Mr Obama reminded the American public that
despite progress the fight against racism was
not over.
He addressed the recent police killings of
unarmed black men and teenagers, which had
triggered protests in several US cities.
"This nation's long racial history still casts its
long shadow upon us. We know the march is not
yet over, the race is not yet won," he said. His comments followed demonstrations in the
northern state of Wisconsin on Friday, triggered
by reports that a black man had been shot by a
police officer.
The 19-year-old, identified as Tony Robinson,
was unarmed according to police. It is alleged
he assaulted the officer before shots were fired.
Peaceful protest
Mr Obama also condemned new attempts by
state governments to restrict voting rights.
"Right now, in 2015, 50 years after Selma, there
are laws across this country designed to make it
harder for people to vote. As we speak, more of
such laws are being proposed," he said.
"Meanwhile, the Voting Rights Act, the
culmination of so much blood and sweat and
tears... stands weakened, its future subject to
partisan rancour." Georgia congressman John Lewis, a Democrat
who was among those injured in the violence 50
years ago, also addressed the crowd of more
than 40,000.
He said: "I want to thank each and every one of
you who marched across the bridge on Bloody
Sunday. You didn't have to do but you did.
"Six hundred people marched into history. We
were so peaceful, so quiet. No-one saying a
word.
"We were beaten, tear gassed, some of us were
left bloody here on this bridge. But we never
became bitter or hostile."
President George W Bush - who was in office
between 2001 and 2009 - also took part in the
commemorations.