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Rev. Ralph Abernathy walking with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as they lead civil rights marchers out of camp to resume their march
 Martin Luther King, Jr. led the civil rights marchers from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama

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The First March From Selma
March 7, 1965
The images sickened, outraged, and electrified people throughout the country. Within 48 hours, demonstrations in support of the marchers were held in 80 cities. Many of the nation's religious and lay leaders, including Martin Luther King, flew to Selma. After one more failed attempt, King led a peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery. Congress responded to these events by enacting the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

John Lewis went on to serve as Director of the Voter Education Project (VEP), a program which added nearly four million minorities to the voter rolls. Today he is a U.S. Congressman.

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