Rapper/activist Common hopped on social media last night to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" last night (March 7).

"Bloody Sunday," as it's now called, was when 600 non-violent protestors crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in an attempt to begin the Selma to Montgomery march.

The march was planned in response to the brutal murder of 26-year-old Jimmie Lee Jackson, a black demonstrator trying to protect his mother, who was being struck by police. The protestors planned to march to the state capital of Montgomery to speak directly with Governor George Wallace.

However, the marchers were met by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and were brutally beaten on March 7, 1965, hence the name "Bloody Sunday."

"#NeverForget. Today marks the 53rd Anniversary of Bloody Sunday when 600 peaceful marchers were assaulted by state troopers on #Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge during their 54 mile march for Voting Rights from Selma to Montgomery," Common wrote on Twitter.

He posted numerous photos from the event, depicting the violence the protestors faced from state troopers.

"Thank you to all the heroic brothers and sisters that risked their lives that day so that we could be free one day," Common said, also quoting Rep. John Lewis, who was one of the most vocal protestors that day, and was severely beaten.

You can check out Common's tweets below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgDFcsUFwIa/?taken-by=common

 

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