Children's Sojourn/Youth Freedom March kicks off Jubilee on March 7

Children marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge along with 1000 Women Strong during the Children’s Sojourn/Youth Freedom March on March 7.

Selma High School, Southside High School, Eagles Landing Christian Academy of McDonough, Georgia, Martin Middle School and Wilcox County High School attended the march. A few students took to the bullhorn to thank everyone for coming out, and they led the crowd in singing “The Black National Anthem.”

Children interviewed Foot Soldiers Charles Mauldin, Eva Orr, Helen Brooks, Sheyann Webb and Ruth Anthony. Joseph Smitherman was memorialized with a picture by the Class of 1968. They also left painted “peace rocks” at the Memorial Park stones.

Children received “swag bags” with items from 1000 Women Strong, the Bridge Crossing Jubilee Shop and the Voting Rights Museum.

The Selma High School’s drum section entertained the children during the Freedom Fest. They also enjoyed a call-response song as they all stood in line for their swag bags full of treats, and children from McRae-Gaines Learning Center performed.

March organizer Sister Yomi told the children about the strength and character of Sojourner “Harriet-Moses” Truth. She called her one of the first Foot Soldiers of civil protest and explained to the children that she had travelled to the South 19 times to free slaves and was never caught.

The U.S. Army was a sponsor of the event.