PHOTOS: Lost images of the march from Selma, 50 years later
(RNS) "We didn't know what would happen when we reached the capitol. We were singing the civil rights song, 'I Am Not Afraid,' but, yes, I was afraid."
Armed National Guard Military Police observing the Selma-to-Montgomery march through the outskirts of Montgomery on March 25, 1965. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
(RNS) These vivid photographs were captured by Southern Methodist University student Loy Williams during the Selma-to-Montgomery march on March 25, 1965, but were never published — until now.
When recalling his experience, Williams says: “We didn’t know what would happen when we reached the capitol. We were singing the civil rights song, ‘I Am Not Afraid,’ but, yes, I was afraid.”
(click on any image to begin the slideshow)
Greyhound charter buses arrive in Montgomery, Ala., from all over the United States on March 25, 1965 during the Selma-to-Montgomery march. This bus was from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Marchers assembling with a military helicopter overhead on March 25, 1965 during the Selma-to-Montgomery march. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Armed National Guard Military Police observing the Selma-to-Montgomery march through the outskirts of Montgomery on March 25, 1965. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Children dressed in their Sunday best wave to marchers during the Selma-to-Montgomery march on March 25, 1965. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Observers watch marchers pass by during the Selma-to-Montgomery march on March 25, 1965. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Businessmen observe marchers pass by during the Selma-to-Montgomery march on March 25, 1965. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Alabama State Troopers and Federalized Alabama National Guard at the Capitol Building in Montgomery during the Selma-to-Montgomery march on March 25, 1965. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking from a sound truck in front of the Alabama capitol building in Montgomery during the Selma-to-Montgomery march on March 25, 1965. Photo by Loy Williams, courtesy of Southern Methodist University
Link copied!
No paywalls here. Thanks to you.
As an independent nonprofit, RNS believes everyone should have access to coverage of religion that is fair, thoughtful and inclusive. That's why you will never hit a paywall on our site; you can read all the stories and columns you want, free of charge (and we hope you read a lot of them!)
But, of course, producing this journalism carries a high cost, to support the reporters, editors, columnists, and the behind-the-scenes staff that keep this site up and running. That's why we ask that if you can, you consider becoming one of our donors. Any amount helps, and because we're a nonprofit, all of it goes to support our mission: To produce thoughtful, factual coverage of religion that helps you better understand the world. Thank you for reading and supporting RNS.