Support UM News at General Conference: Your gift ensures that you and other visitors receive the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and diverse perspectives from General Conference.

A look back at Bloody Sunday’s 50th anniversary

Translate Page

To commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, UM News revisits its 2015 trip to Selma, Alabama, to cover the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches to protest racial segregation and support the rights of African Americans to vote.

Retired bishop Woodie White and his students from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, along with other United Methodists, joined an estimated crowd of 80,000 who packed Selma, Alabama, March 7-8, 2015, for a weekend of events including a speech by President Barack Obama. The trip culminated with a march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, where a violent confrontation between police and peaceful marchers occurred March 8, 1965. The clash helped bring about passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

See images and hear audio from the day in video above.

Read more about the anniversary march in our story, United Methodists Return for Bloody Sunday 50th.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
General Conference
The Rev. Scott Christy, president of the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists, speaks during a gathering for delegates and observers of the United Methodist General Conference hosted by the racial-ethnic caucus on April 28 at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Gladys P. Mangiduyos, UM News.

Delegates decry hate crimes against Asian Americans

Resolution addresses racial-ethnic discrimination and gender-based violence in the Asian American context.
General Conference
Bishop David Wilson, the first Native American to be elected a United Methodist bishop, preaches on May 1 during morning worship at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Bishop encourages delegates to inspire next 7 generations

Recalling the people who nurtured and encouraged his faith, United Methodism’s first Native American bishop said, “My friends, we have much more in common than not.”
General Conference
Fredrick Brewington, New York Conference, presents the Jurisdictional Study Committee report during a plenary session April 30 at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Formula for calculating number of bishops eliminated

Newly passed legislation guarantees at least five bishops per jurisdiction.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2024 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved