THE SELMA BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE ENLISTS NOTABLE ALABAMIANS FOR 2021 CELEBRATION

The historic event is going global with an entirely virtual weekend of

education, celebration, and action.

SELMA, ALABAMA (December 17, 2020): For the first time in history, the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee will be a global event, and big, Alabama names are on board to bring it to life.

In order to turn this major annual event into an online experience, many of Alabama’s notable leaders have joined the National Planning Committee. Original Foot Soldiers from Alabama such Charles Mauldin, Frank Hardy, Helen Brooks, and the youngest among them, Sheyann Webb-Christburg, are joined by the likes of Executive Director of Alabama NAACP Terra Foster, Ana Delia Espino, Executive Director of Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, historian Dr. Tara White, and State Senator Malika Sanders-Fortier, District 23.

With 2020 centering conversations around race relations, voting rights, equity, and justice in America, enlisting the next generation of leaders and activists is important to the Jubilee. Working alongside the Foot Soldiers and other upcoming community leaders, Black Lives Matter Birmingham founder Jilisa Milton, Mallory Hagan, former Congressional candidate and Miss America, and Robyn Hyden, Executive Director of Alabama Arise are also committing their time and energy to the National Committee.

“Though we're in the midst of a pandemic, it's important not to lose focus on the importance of why we commemorate Bloody Sunday each year. I'm excited to renew my commitment to always advocate for voting rights and civil rights just as our dear brother and friend, John Lewis did. I'm excited to see all of the hard work from the various committees and I am confident that the nation will be pleased with what we produce for the 56th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday,” said Alabama NAACP Executive Director, Terra Foster.

Held in Selma, Alabama, the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee commemorates "Bloody Sunday," which occurred in March of 1965. A large group of peaceful protesters—advocating for the Voting Rights Act—were brutally beaten by more than 50 state troopers and a few dozen possemen on horseback. The attack, which was broadcasted on national television, caught the attention of millions of Americans and became a symbol of the longstanding racism that permeated the South. Every year, on the first weekend in March, the Bridge Crossing Jubilee commemorates both the bloody confrontation at the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the march from Selma to Montgomery that followed with nearly 50,000 attendees. Events typically include a parade, a Miss Jubilee Pageant, a mock trial, and a commemorative march to the bridge. This year, the event is going global by going entirely virtual with the theme “Beyond the Bridge.”

New to the organization, Drew Glover joined the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee as the Principal Coordinator this past June.

“We are excited to enlist the help of such inspirational and influential Alabamians as we scale this meaningful event to a global audience. The diverse experiences of this dynamic group will ensure that the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee honors the past, educates on issues facing our country today, illuminates the need for continued action, and inspires the next generation to carry the torch,” said Glover.

As this group gears up for the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee's global debut in March, they need your help. Pre-register for the event at www.SelmaJubilee.com, follow and like the event on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and (most importantly) support their work with a small donation here.

For press inquiries, please contact Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Principal Coordinator Drew Glover at 334-526-2626 x801 or drew@selmajubilee.com.

####

The Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee was founded in Selma, Alabama as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our commitment is to the commemoration and preservation of the spirit of the struggle for the right to vote in this country and the world. Our goal is to inspire people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to respect and appreciate the power of their vote. This annual event is a family affair and appropriate for all ages. To connect, visit www.selmajubilee.com or call 334-526-2626 to pre-register and get priority updates, special offers, and opportunities to win prizes. For press inquiries contact Drew Glover at 334-526-2626 x801 or drew@selmajubilee.com.