Selma, Alabama – A peaceful march advocating for voting rights for African Americans in Selma, Alabama, was violently dispersed today by Alabama State Troopers, resulting in multiple injuries and a significant setback for the burgeoning Civil Rights movement. The incident, which occurred just moments before the planned crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, has ignited immediate outrage and raised serious questions about the state’s response to peaceful protest.

At approximately 1:30 PM CST, a large group of demonstrators, led by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis, began their march from Brown Chapel AME Church. Initial reports indicated a largely orderly procession, with hundreds of participants singing freedom songs and chanting for equal voting rights. However, as the marchers approached the bridge, a line of Alabama State Troopers, equipped with tear gas and billy clubs, abruptly formed, blocking the road.

Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as troopers aggressively pushed back the crowd. “It was terrifying,” stated Sarah Jenkins, a local resident who filmed the events. “They just… they charged. No warning. People were screaming, falling to the ground. It wasn’t a march anymore; it was a battle.” Several demonstrators were injured during the melee, with at least ten requiring immediate medical attention. Reports suggest a significant number sustained bruises, cuts, and respiratory issues due to the tear gas deployment.

Reverend King, visibly shaken after the events, addressed the media shortly after the confrontation. “We came here today seeking only the right to vote, the basic right guaranteed to all Americans,” he stated. “And we were met with violence. This is a dark day for our nation, a day that will be forever etched in the annals of injustice.”

The planned crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a symbolic act intended to pressure Governor George Wallace to support federal legislation guaranteeing voting rights, has been indefinitely postponed. The event’s disruption has prompted widespread condemnation from national and international figures. Legal experts predict a swift investigation into the state’s actions, with potential lawsuits looming against the state government. The events in Selma are sure to escalate the ongoing struggle for civil rights and further highlight the deep divisions within the nation.