Next steps for change.

We’re learning more about what it will take to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge and found out that we need the support of our legislature. Will you please take a moment to tweet our state Senator Hank Sanders and ask for his support of our petition? All you have to do is click: http://ctt.ec/E913d Many have asked us what we would change the name to when we are successful with our petition to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge. There are so many individual names we would want to honor, from Amelia Boynton Robinson, Congressman John Lewis, Rev. F. D. Reese, and so many others who sacrificed so much for our freedom. The purpose of this petition is to give all of the people of Selma a voice in the naming process. The Edmund Pettus Bridge was named in 1940 by an all-white vote, and no African Americans were able to participate in the naming process of this bridge that citizens of Selma cross every single day. This is our chance to make our voices heard, and the youth of Selma advocate to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge to not only reflect the diversity and progress that is in Selma today, but also the sacrifice that the freedom fighters made 50 years ago. We want the Selma Bridge named after the Movement and after the hearts of the foot soldiers that have come behind us. It was a journey to freedom when they marched across the bridge in 1965, and we are journeying across the bridge today towards justice and equality that we still have yet to see. Also, Slate magazine wrote about the Selma Bridge and its historical significance, and our petition was mentioned in the article! Check it out! http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2015/03/06/selma_anniversary_how_the_edmund_pettus_bridge_design_influenced_the_bloody.html Thank you for all of your support, Students UNITE