Selma's "Bloody Sunday": A look back
When police viciously attacked a peaceful civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama March 7, 1965 the pivotal moment in American history became known as "Bloody Sunday."
The Steven Kasher Gallery in New York has put together a comprehensive exhibition showcasing the work of three photographers of the era - Spider Martin, Charles Moore and James Barker - commemorating the three historic marches of 1965 on the 50th anniversary.
Many of the images show well known figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis and Andrew Young and are among the most memorable images from that era. Others, less well known, from photographer James Barker, are of moments behind the scenes from the marchers’ point of view.
Photo: Reflection of Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama, the starting point for the marches in 1965.
By CBSNews.com photo editor Radhika Chalasani
Selma
John Lewis, Hosea Williams, Andrew Young, Amelia Boynton and other marchers singing "We Shall Overcome" outside Brown Chapel, morning of The First Selma March, March 7, 1965.
Selma
On "Bloody Sunday", marchers pass over the Edmund Pettus Bridge, March 7, 1965.
Spider Martin: "No one had any idea of what was about to happen. Hosea [Williams] told me at the Savannah Civil Rights Museum in 1999 that Dr. King had called John [Lewis] and asked him to postpone the march till later. Hosea said 'No, we're going to march.' They argued and Hosea won out. Hosea died soon after he told me this story."
Selma
Alabama state troopers equipped with gas masks and tear gas canisters wait for marchers beyond the bridge, March 7, 1965.
Selma
Hosea Williams and John Lewis confront troopers, March 7, 1965.
Spider Martin: "There had been a two-minute warning, but like the old song went, 'There ain't no turning me 'round.' The marchers stood their ground, but were beaten down like dominoes."
Selma
Dallas County sheriff deputy with tear gas launcher.
Spider Martin: "I call this man, 'pit bull with a pistol'. After a ten-minute snack - turnip greens, corn bread, black eyed peas, pork chops and iced sweet tea - in the projects, I opened my savior's apartment door and looked out at this Dallas County posse person. The lady had asked did I want some dessert - banana pudding. I ate the pudding' and then went back to work, March 7, 1965.
Selma
Almost immediately after telling marchers they had "two minutes to disperse" the state troopers charge with their billy clubs, Selma, Alabama, 1965.
Selma
Sheriff's deputies prepare to confront marchers, Selma, Alabama, March 7, 1965.
Selma
State police wearing gas masks fire tear gas at the marchers and then charge them a second time, 1965.
Selma
Spider Martin: "Amelia Boynton Robinson was beaten unconscious by a state trooper. I have always wondered what the state trooper was thinking," March 7, 1965.
Robinson was a leader of the civil rights movement. She was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Medal in 1990.
Selma
College students gathered in Montgomery in support of the Selma marchers. As they were preparing to demonstrate in front of the State capitol, a mounted posse attacked them, March 16, 1965.
Selma
When a fellow demonstrator is felled by a blow to the head, Pam Clempson rushes to his aid. Clemson, who later described herself as "17 years old and out to save the world" was arrested after the incident and held in jail for several days in Montgomery, March 16, 1965.
Selma
Sunday, March 22, 1965. Early morning. "Saturday night sleeper at the Morningstar Church."
Photographer James Barker participated in the third Selma march and photographed it as a member of delegation sent by Washington State University to witness event.
Selma
James Barker: "The day of the march in the basement of Brown Chapel," Sunday, March 22, 1965.
Barker's photos show the behind-the-scenes organizing going on.
Selma
James Barker: "In the basement of Brown Chapel. The basement was used to prepare food, serve coffee, organize the medical staff, and it was where people met and hung out together," March, 1965.
Selma
"Marchers being observed alongside the route," Sunday, March 22, 1965. This was the third, ultimately successful march that began March 21 with marchers arriving in Montgomery five days later.
Selma
"Passing car with painted comment," Sunday, March 22, 1965.
Selma
James Barker: "Marchers arrive at the outskirts of Montgomery during a heavy rain. At this time any number of people could re-join the march."
On March 22 and 23rd, 300 protestors marched through chilling, driving rain across Lowndes county, camping in muddy fields along the way.
Selma
"Marching on the streets of Montgomery after the rain had ceased.", March 24, 1965.
By the time of the third march President Lyndon B. Johnson, pushed by the images of brutality in Alabama and by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, had introduced the Voting Rights Act to Congress, which became law later in the year.
Selma
The third march, with the protection of 2,000 soldiers supplied by President Lyndon B. Johnson, makes its way through Lowndes Country under armed guard.
Spider Martin: "Marching up Highway 80 under the protection of the U.S. Army. Sharpshooters were stationed in those houses on the horizon and some were behind me. It was wet on this day, but the singing of 'We Shall Overcome' kept up everyone's spirits." March 21, 1965.
Selma
Long and active supporter of equal rights, folk singer Pete Seeger arrived at the march ready to sing, March, 1965.
Seeger was invited by Martin Luther King, Jr. to join the march protests to lift people's spirit. Music was a key part of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches. Other singers including Harry Belafonte and Joan Baez also participated and helped bring national attention to the cause of voting rights as well as the horrors of Jim Crow segregation.
Selma
Close up of protestor's blistered feet after walking forty miles.
Spider Martin: "This woman was asleep, camped on the side of the road after a day of marching. She was so tired, my flash didn't wake her."
Selma
Spider Martin: "A marcher rests under the protection of the U.S. Army. This picture was picked up by the Associated Press and ran all over the world. I had friends in the Vietnam War who saw the picture with my name on it in the local Saigon newspaper." March 25, 1965.
Selma
Three women singing songs as they walk toward Montgomery. The center marcher wears buttons of both CORE and SNCC and another that reads "Grow", 1965.
Selma
The Kings lead thousands of people in the final stage of the third and final march through downtown Montgomery to the steps of the capitol after the five-day, 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama, March 25, 1965.
The Selma March 1965 exhibition runs from March 5 to April 18, 2015.
Selma
Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his "How Long, Not Long" speech on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, March 25, 1965. Twenty five thousand people marched to the capitol to hear the speech.
King told the crowd, "The end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience. ... I know you are asking today, How long will it take? I come to say to you this afternoon however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long."