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home >> civil rights history project >> civil rights program series >> montgomery 1965 -1

Voting Rights Campaign, Montgomery, AL, March 1965:
Glen Pearcy Collection, 1965-1988 (AFC 2012/040)

About this Collection

Glen Pearcy captured these unique images of the historic Voting Rights Campaign in Alabama in March 1965. The campaign to secure the right to vote for disenfranchised African Americans was highlighted by protest marches from Selma to the state's capital in Montgomery as well as brutal suppression of marchers and murders of civil rights activists. These events, and the national outrage they sparked, were instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act in August of that year. Pearcy's photographs from the front lines of the struggle in Montgomery were shot between the events of "Bloody Sunday" on March 7 and the triumphant march from Selma to Montgomery two weeks later. Pearcy's images capture dramatic scenes of college student activists, local residents, hundreds of clergy, and notable civil rights leaders pitted against the forces of the law and some of their fellow Alabamans who were determined not to give in to the protesters' demands for justice and equality. We invite patrons to help flesh out the historical record by identifying people, places and dates and leaving comments in the blog post. Please refer to the specific image identification number when providing such information.

SNCC members singing at Jackson St. Baptist Church

SNCC members singing at Jackson St. Baptist Church, 03/16/1965, Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_042_01.jpg)

SNCC members singing at Jackson St. Baptist Church, 03/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_042_19.jpg)

SNCC members singing at Jackson St. Baptist Church-3

SNCC members singing at Jackson St. Baptist Church, 03/16/1965, Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_043_13.jpg)

SNCC member at Jackson St. Baptist Church

SNCC member at Jackson St. Baptist Church, 03/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_043_32.jpg)

College students prepare to march,Montgomery 1965

University of Michigan and Alabama State College (Montgomery) students prepare to march on the Capitol, 03/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_044_29.jpg)

Protesters gather on Decatur St

Protesters gather on Decatur St. in preparation for march; sign reads
"One Man one Vote - Univ. of Pennsylvania," 03/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_045_32.jpg)

Montgomery Sheriff's department charges unarmed marchers

Montgomery Sheriff's department charges peaceful protesters,
03/16/1965, Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_045_37.jpg

Marchers display the bloody effects of law enforcement attack, 03/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_046_02.jpg)

Marchers including (l) Rev. Gerald Witt, Evangelical United Brethren Church, PA, are herded by Sheriff's deputies, 03/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_046_42.jpg)

James Forman (SNCC), James Bevel (SCLC) and march participants

(l-r) James Forman (SNCC), James Bevel (SCLC) and marchers
in the aftermath of the attack, 3/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_047_04.jpg)

Marchers gather, Montgomery, Aabama

(l-r) James Bevel and James Forman (with back to camera)
debate the tense situation with unnamed official,
03/16/1965, Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_047_41.jpg)

Marchers gather, Montgomery, Aabama

Marchers talk over the events of the morning, 03/16/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_047_27.jpg)

Reverend Ralph Abernethy

Reverend Ralph Abernathy addresses an evening rally at Beulah Baptist Church, 03/16/1965, Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_049_17.jpg)

Dr. King at the evening rally at Beulah Baptist Church, 1965

Dr. King at the evening rally at Beulah Baptist Church;
03/16/1965, Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_049_11.jpg)

audience member at rally, 1965

Unnamed audience member at rally at Beulah Baptist Church
03/17/1965, Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_049_01.jpg)

Marchers and speakers at rally, Montgomery, Alabama, 1965

Marchers head to a morning rally, 03/17/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_053_19.jpg)

Marchers and speakers at rally, Montgomery, Alabama, 1965

Marchers, including SNCC's Willie Ricks (in dark glasses), walk towards Montgomery police, 03/17/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_054_28.jpg)

Rev. Abernethy and speakers at rally, Montgomery, Alabama, 1965

Reverend Abernathy (behind megaphone) addresses rally, flanked by
movement leaders; James Forman (l); John Lewis is below Dr. King, 03/17/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_055_24.jpg)

Marchers at rally, Montgomery, Alabama, 1965

Marchers listen to speeches at rally, 03/17/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_056_02.jpg)

Rally attendees take shelter from the rain, 03/17/1965,
Glen Pearcy Collection (afc2012040_057_05.jpg)

Rights and Responsibilities

Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these collection materials should contact the Folklife Reading Room for assistance.
All commercial reproductions of these images require their author's permission.

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September 13, 2020

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Voting Rights Campaign, Montgomery, AL, March 1965: Glen Pearcy Collection, 1965-1988 (AFC 2012/040)

Voting Rights Campaign, Montgomery, AL, March 1965:
Glen Pearcy Collection, 1965-1988 (AFC 2012/040)