segregationist population with aggression. Soon King was released by payment
from his wife, and the marches began to spread to nearby town. In one such town,
called Marion, a march had taken place following the trial of an activist named
James Orange. The march was met with resistance by Alabama state troopers.
One activist, Jimmy Lee Jackson, fled alongside many others, including his own
mother. They found refuge at a nearby café, but were chased by troopers and
Jackson was shot a point-blank range to eventually die in the arms of his mother.
With emotions running high, the SCLC and SNCC decided to hold a meeting at
the Zion United Methodist Church, where they decided the best course of action
would be to march 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery, the capital of Alabama,
where they would directly demand action from Alabama’s Governor George
Wallace; a notorious segregationist. On hearing news that a march of such kind
was due to take place, Governor Wallace denounced its legality and ordered
police to prevent its occurrence, taking “whatever measures are necessary.”
Martin Luther King Jr. arrives in Montgomery on 25 th March, 1965
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