By  Senator Hank Sanders

A coalition of 25 Alabama organizations sponsored a state-wide Save Ourselves Summit (SOS) on November 19, 2011. It was a powerful success with a great cross-section of people participating productively. That was just beginning.

Among other matters, SOS resolved to facilitate a national Selma to Montgomery March to challenge the increasing attacks on the voting rights and immigration rights across the country.

The march is scheduled to kick off in Selma at the conclusion of the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee on Sunday afternoon, March 4, 2012 and conclude in Montgomery on Friday, March 9, 2012. It will track the world-famous 1965 Selma to Montgomery March which gave rise to the Voting Rights Act, the most successful federal legislation in the history of this country.

The purpose of the march is to  dramatize the increasing attacks on voting rights, immigration rights, workers’ rights and public education.

As you know, voting rights, immigration rights and workers’ right are under heavy, sustained and intensifying attacks. Public education is also under attack in a different way. The situation calls for a dramatic response. By recreating the Selma to Montgomery March with all of its powerful symbolisms, we will remind the nation and the world that these  rights are being taken yet again.

SOS takes the position that we must stand and fight these determined efforts to roll back the clock. Indeed, we must push the justice clock forward rather than allowing others to push it backwards.

We propose that a different set of organizations take each of four days (Monday – Thursday) so there will be plenty of fresh marchers each day. On the first day (Sunday afternoon) and the last day (Friday), all groups are asked to participate. SOS member organizations will help mobilize their  particular Alabama constituents for particular days. (A proposed schedule will be sent by separate communication). Each set of organizations will be responsible for mobilizing people, resources and media for their particular day.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Rev. Al Sharpton expects to originate his MSNBC Politics Nation show and his national radio program from March events. Other national media is showing early interest. Other national organizations are showing considerable interest.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee expects to have workshops on workers rights, voting rights and immigration rights on Saturday, March 3rd. Education workshops will be held on Friday, March 2nd. Organizations are invited to initiate, plan and implement workshops within their area of interest. You can contact Faya Rose Toure (aka Rose M. Sanders) at 334-875-9264 or fayarose@gmail.com.

I have been designated by SOS to coordinate their efforts in this massive initiative. I can be reached by mail at P. O. Box 1290, Selma, AL 36702, by email at gpompey@csspca.com, by office phone at 334-875-9264 and by  cell phone at 334-782-1651,

This is a national initiative so national organizations will be joint sponsors with SOS. This notice provides just a brief overview of the March initiative and urges your best participation. We hope you and your organization will help lead this effort.