The cable news networks Saturday aired a moving speech by Rep. John Lewis at the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Ala., ostensibly as they waited for the “headliner,” President Obama, to take the podium and deliver his address. Some might say it should have been the other way around; Lewis spoke from an experience that Obama never had — something made clear by Lewis’ Twitter account, which enhanced his speech with photos from the time.
50 yrs ago today, we set out to march from Selma to Montgomery to dramatize to the nation that people of color were denied the right to vote
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
Before we left a little church called Brown Chapel AME, we knelt and joined together in prayer. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/lNuu8VU6bg
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
About 600 of us left Brown Chapel AME to walk in an orderly, peaceful, nonviolent fashion. #Selma50
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
When we got to the apex of the bridge, down below we saw a sea of blue… #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/pI8rIB9K0f
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
… Alabama State Troopers #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/BuPxSRAOOx
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
When we came within hearing distance, a trooper identified himself and said, "I'm Major John Cloud of the Alabama State Troopers" #Selma50
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
He said, "This is an unlawful march. It will not be allowed to continue." #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/pW46cdL5zn
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
"I'll give you three minutes to disperse and return to your homes or to your church." #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/83ccHA99ef
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
The man walking beside me – co-leader of the march Hosea Williams – said "Major, give us a moment to kneel and pray." pic.twitter.com/3fvecGNnq3
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
The Major paused for a minute and then he said, "Troopers advance!" And you saw these men putting on their gas masks. pic.twitter.com/NDAkngX9kE
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
They came toward us beating us with nightsticks, bullwhips, trampling us with horses, releasing the teargas. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/s9Ey2ZavZA
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
I was hit in the head by a state trooper with a nightstick. My legs went out from under me. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/AOhJkaUvjz
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
I thought I saw death. I thought I was going to die. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/AhM8ujpsYi
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
I had a concussion there at the bridge, and I've never been able to recall how we made it back. #Selma50 pic.twitter.com/AsB909DlgX
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) March 7, 2015
If listening to @repjohnlewis doesn't move you to tears, something is wrong with your heart. #selma50
— Claudia ???? (@CMarPA) March 7, 2015
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