All language subtitles for Selma (2014)

KING: I accept this honor
for our lost ones,

whose deaths pave our path.

And for the 20 million
Negro men and women

motivated by dignity

and a disdain for hopelessness.

This isn't right.

Corrie.

This ain't right.

CORETTA: What's that?

This necktie. It's not right.

Well, it's not a necktie, dear.

It's an ascot.

Yes, but generally the same principles
should apply, shouldn't they?

It's not right.

It's not right, or you don't like it?

(SIGHS)
I don't like how this looks.

Looks distinguished and debonair to me.

You know what I mean.

Like we're living high on the hog.

Dressed like this
while folks back home are... (SIGHS)

It's not right.

Wait till the brothers
back home see me like this.

They'll have a good laugh.

Let them laugh.

It's not a crime to be away
for a few days, Martin.

It's nice being away, huh?

Yeah. It really is.

Look here.

I'm gonna be a pastor somewhere small.

College town.

(CHUCKLING)

Lead a little church. Teach a class.

(SIGHS)

Maybe the occasional
speaking engagement.

And I'll pay all the bills for us,

especially the mortgage
for our very own house.

Perfect.

You look handsome.

JAHN: Through it all,

Martin Luther King
has spoken of his dream.

One which we

and many other people
around the world share.

To this undeterred hero for justice,

the Nobel Committee of Oslo, Norway,

awards our 1964 Peace Prize.

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

KING: I accept this honor
for our lost ones,

whose deaths pave our path.

I accept this honor for

the more than 20 million
American Negroes

who are motivated by dignity.

Together we believe that
what the illusion

of supremacy has destroyed,

the truth of equality can nourish.

GIRL #1: I promise you.
It ain't nothing to be scared of.

It's quick. And the pastor
is right there next to you.

GIRL #2: Yeah, but the biggest thing
is getting your hair wet up.

I got my hair pressed that same morning

and it was wasted
as soon as I hit the water.

I should have worn
a swim cap like Mama said.

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

GIRL #3: See, I asked my mama

could she make my hair like
Coretta Scott King had hers

at the Washington March.

But she said that was too grown.

Oh, I love her hair.

I heard she don't even put rollers in it.
It's just like that.

But I studied it. I know how she do it.

See, she parts in the middle and then...

(SIGHS)

MAN: Annie Lee Cooper!

(SIGHS)

Get on up now. I ain't got all day.

You work for Mr. Dunn
down at the rest home, ain't that right?

Yes.

Wonder what old Dunn'll say
when I tell him

one of his gals is down here
stirring a fuss.

I ain't stirring no fuss.

I'm just here trying
to register to vote.

It's all right this time.

It's right when I say it's right.

Recite the Constitution's preamble.

Know what a preamble is?

"We the people of the United States,

"in order to form a more perfect union,

"establish justice,

"ensure domestic tranquility,

"provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare..."

How many county judges in Alabama?

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Sixty-seven.

Name them.

JOHNSON: Aren't we done?

Are we not done with this?

Will this ever end?

I don't know, Mr. President.

A comprehensive plan
is already in place.

The act was only passed six months ago.

So hammer home that impatience
only hurts the overall cause.

We're... We're getting there.

Just... Just keep reiterating the plan.

No, he doesn't want reiteration.

He wants something so he can say,

"Look, I told you I had a dream
and it's all coming goddamn true,

"whether you like it or not!"
That's what he wants.

What he needs to do
is get on board with what we're doing

instead of the other way around.
For once!

Mr. President, Dr. King.

KING: Mr. President.

Dr. King.

(CHUCKLES)

Well, I'll tell you.
I'm a tall son-of-a-bitch,

but this close to the new Nobel laureate

and with all those other trinkets
you've been collecting lately,

I feel tits-high to a puppy dog.

Well, thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. White.

- Dr. King.
- All right.

I'll tell you, ending segregation,

proudest moment of my life
when I signed that '64 Act.

Proudest moment of my life, I tell you.

Now civil rights is a priority

- of this administration as you know.
- Thank you.

We're gonna face the challenge,

or this country is
storing up a heap of trouble for itself.

Now, seeing as I can't convince you to

work with my administration

in an official capacity
inside the White House,

I feel damn fortunate

to have someone as statesmanlike as you

leading the movement.

And I want you to go on leading it.
No one else.

Not one of these
militant Malcolm X types.

(JOHNSON CHUCKLING)

So... I wanna help. Tell me how.

Well, Mr. President,

I'm here to speak
specifically about the denial

of a basic American right
for the Negro citizen.

The right to vote.

Well, uh... Technically...

Technically, we already have it.

Yes, Mr. President.

But, we both know in the South

black voters are kept off the rolls

and out of the voting booths

by systematic intimidation
and fear, Mr. President.

(CLEARS THROAT) Now,
you asked how you can help.

We want Federal legislation

granting Negroes the right
to vote unencumbered.

And we want Federal protocol eliminating

the decades-long dismissal

and illegal denial of
blacks seeking to vote.

And we want
robust enforcement of that protocol.

Well, um... (CLEARS THROAT) That's fine.

But... Most of the South
is still not desegregating.

Let's not start another battle
when we haven't even won the first.

And you know what
the next battle should be?

The eradication of poverty.

I'm calling it "The War on Poverty."

It's a matter of political priorities.

Poverty is going to be my focus at home
and I want you to help me with this.

We can make big changes in these things

for people of all colors.

And I know that matters to you,
doesn't it?

This voting thing
is just gonna have to wait.

(CLEARING THROAT)

It...

(STAMMERING)
It can't wait, Mr. President.

Well, why not?

Because there have been thousands

of racially motivated murders
in the South,

including those four girls.

Well, I know that...

And you know the astounding fact
that not one of these criminals

who murder us when and why they want

has ever been convicted.

Yeah, I know we have a lot
of work to do down there.

Not one conviction

because they are protected
by white officials

chosen by an all-white electorate.

And on the rare occasions
that they face trial,

they are freed by all-white juries.

All-white because
you can't serve on a jury

unless you are registered to vote.

Well, Dr. King, you've certainly given me
something to think about.

But this administration is going
to set this aside for a while.

Just for a while, you understand.

Yes, Mr. President, I... I understand.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

Selma it is.

Big speech lined up
for these folks tonight, Doc?

We need to see
what's what first, Big Fellow.

We're just here to test the waters.

Oh, my Lord.
What you got us into, woman?

We've got 128 miles

to come to our senses, gentlemen.

NASH: Hush.

This here is the place we need to be.

This right here
is the next great battle.

I can only imagine.

Hmm.

Decent-looking place to die though.

(ABERNATHY CHUCKLES WRYLY)

Ms. Nash.

Mr. Bevel.

Doc? This here is it. Selma's the place.

A lot of groundwork has already
been laid by the people here.

And they ready.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

(DOOR OPENS)

- ORANGE: Sister Boynton.
- BOYNTON: Mr. Orange.

Good afternoon.

MAN #1: Dr. King?

May I introduce myself?

Yeah, of course.

- (GROANS)
- MAN #2: Hey!

(PEOPLE CLAMORING)

It's okay. It's okay. I'm okay.

This way, Dr. King.

KING: That white boy can hit.

ABERNATHY: This place is perfect.

What's the FBI's current information
on Martin Luther King?

I heard he was assaulted in Selma.

My information can be
summed up in a few words.

King is a political
and moral degenerate.

Well, you say that, J. Edgar.
I have to take it seriously.

But if he's a degenerate,
what I do know is,

he's a non-violent degenerate.

And I want him to go on leading
the civil rights movement,

not one of these bloodthirsty militants.

What I need to know right now is
what's he about to do next?

Mr. President,

you know we can shut men with power down

permanently and unequivocally.

I'm very aware of that, Mr. Director.

Well, if you prefer
a different approach,

we can go with the wife.

We know there's tension
in the home already.

We can weaken the dynamic.

Dismantle the family.

(CHILDREN LAUGHING)

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello.

MAN: (ON PHONE) You ain't got long.

When the hearts of those Pickaninnies
of yours stop beating...

Same thing?

CORETTA: When are you all heading out?

KING: We're heading back
to Selma at 5:00 a.m.

It turned out to be
an ideal staging ground.

There's a full couple of weeks planned.

Quite a bit to be done.

I see.

That highway is nice now.

Get you there in a couple of hours.

Good people in those parts though.

Well...

I'm worried about the ones
who ain't so good.

This local Sheriff Jim Clark

is supposed to be bad business.

Won't go down without a fight, they say.

And since we don't fight...

Well...

As good a place to die as any, I guess.

I wish you wouldn't talk like that.

It just takes the edge off.

You and your friends
can joke about that.

I don't joke about that.

You're right. I'm sorry.

I'll, uh... put these things
away in your bag now.

I didn't realize
you were leaving so early.

(SIGHS)

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

KING: (ON PHONE) Halie?

Martin.

I need to hear the Lord's voice.

Oh.

Surely, Martin. Surely.

(JACKSON CLEARS THROAT)

JACKSON: (SINGING) Precious Lord

Take my hand

Lead me home

Let me stand

I am tired

(KING SIGHS)

I am weak

I am worn

Through the storm

Through the night

Lord, lead me on

To the light

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

- KING: Hey!
- Hey!

- Sully.
- Look at you.

(LAUGHING)

- Morning, Doctor.
- Good morning, Doctor.

SULLIVAN: Drive all right?

KING: Good and long.

Good news is Richie Jean is in there.

Oh, she's ready for you.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Negro, that's all you had to say.

Uncle Marty!

There she is! There's our girl!

Hey, Richie Jean!

RICHIE JEAN: Oh!

- KING: Looking like her mom.
- You go play.

- Hey!
- Hey, Ralphy.

- ABERNATHY: How you doing?
- RICHIE JEAN: Hey!

- Good to see you, sweetheart.
- Hey, come over here.

ABERNATHY: Oh, Lord,
it's good to see this!

Okay, now,
I've got the grits on the stove.

Uh, how many we expecting today?

Well, now, Sister Jackson.

You know about our group,
the SCLC, right?

The Southern Christian
Leadership Conference?

A few of our top SCLC leaders
are with us this time

since we're going to
be here a little longer than expected.

Now, this here's Reverend C.T. Vivian.

He coordinates all the SCLC branches.

Welcome. Nice to meet you.
Welcome, welcome.

This is Reverend James Bevel.

- How you doing, ma'am?
- I'm well. Thank you.

YOUNG: This here is James Orange.

Oh, this is a big one.

I don't know if I've got
enough to feed you.

Well, let's find out. How about that?

- RICHIE JEAN: Hey!
- (ALL LAUGHING)

Now, you got two of them named James.

- Oh, you can call me Jim, Sister.
- And Orange is fine with me, ma'am.

Or Big Fellow!

All right. Well, this is fine with me.

Mrs. Jackson. Hosea Williams.

Or Castro!

Oh, yeah, that's a long story.

Uh, those grits, they need
some stirring. Mind?

ABERNATHY: You put your foot in it now.

Ain't you supposed to be on a diet?

(ALL LAUGHING)

Somebody call Juanita.

- There's a phone!
- Hey, get off that phone.

Juanita?

ABERNATHY: Don't do it, Doc.
Don't do it...

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Turning in, Doc. You okay?

Yes, sir. Good night to you.

Uh...

I wanted to tell you that
the students are in town.

Local students?

Oh, no.

The Student Non-Violent
Coordinating Committee.

- Oh. Okay. Our young friends at SNCC.
- Mmm-hmm.

Good to know.

You the one told them to organize.

Took it to heart.

Don't be surprised
if they don't give us grief tomorrow.

Town folk may be happy
to see us. But SNCC?

They feel we're in their territory.

- They're young and full of spirit.
- Mmm.

Not a bad thing.

It'll sort out.

Good night.

Good night.

"Boycotting the buses in Montgomery.

- "Segregation in Birmingham."
- (APPLAUSE)

Boycotting the buses in Montgomery.

Segregation in Birmingham.

(AUDIENCE AGREEING)

Now? Voting in Selma.

One struggle ends just to go
right to the next and the next.

If you think of it that way,
it's a hard road.

But I don't think of it that way.

I think of these efforts as one effort.

And that one effort is for our life.

(AUDIENCE AGREEING)

Our life as a community.
Our life as a nation.

For our lives.

We can do this.

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

We must do this!

We see children

become victims of one
of the most vicious crimes

ever perpetrated against humanity

within the walls of their own church!

They are sainted now.

They are the sainted ones
in this quest for freedom.

And they speak to us still.

They say to us,

to all of us, all colors and creeds,

that we must do this.

They say to us that it is unacceptable

for more than 50% of Selma to be Negro

and yet less than 2% of Negroes here
being able to vote

and determine their own destiny
as human beings.

They say to us that
the local white leadership

use their power

to keep us away from the ballot box
and keep us voiceless.

(APPLAUSE AND AGREEMENT CONTINUE)

As long as I am unable to exercise
my constitutional right to vote,

I do not have command of my own life.

I cannot determine my own destiny
for it is determined for me

by people who would rather
see me suffer than succeed.

Those that have gone before us say,
"No more!"

AUDIENCE: No more! No more!

No more!

That means protest, that means march,

that means disturb the peace,
that means jail,

that means risk! And that is hard!

(SHOUTS OF AGREEMENT)

We will not wait any longer.

Give us the vote!

That's right! No more!

We're not asking. We're demanding.

Give us the vote!

ALL: Give us the vote!

Dr. King.
Roy Reed of The New York Times.

Yes. Hello to you. How are you?

I'm well, sir. Thank you for asking.

Dr. King, are you truly non-violent
if you are provoking violence, sir?

We are here, using
our very bodies in protest

- to say to those who deny us...
- Dr. King. Dr. King.

Pleasure, sir.

...that we will no longer let them use
their billy clubs

in dark corners and halls of power.

We make them do it
in the glaring light of day, Mr. Reed.

Is SNCC standing with us
on this or not, gentlemen?

You want us to bring our people in,
but you're not giving anything in return.

Now we are asking for
some kind of commitment here.

Respectfully speaking, of course,

we've been handling
the voter registration

in this town now for two years.

Well, you haven't gotten
very far, have you?

Well, maybe not, Reverend.
But we're still here.

WILLIAMS: Meaning what?

FORMAN: This time next month,
you won't be!

- WILLIAMS: That's insanity!
- Just like you left Albany.

Those people are pathetic
down there now.

Like they daddy left home!

What we're trying to explain
is that in Albany you all...

You know what I think?
Maybe we should just leave Selma...

Now!

Leave it to these two.

Come back in another two years
and see how much further you got!

- Sounds just fine to me.
- KING: That's enough.

Enough of this now.

I haven't the time for this.
None of us got the time for this.

John.

James.

The way our organization works
is straightforward.

We negotiate. We demonstrate. We resist.

And on our best days, our adversary
helps the matter by making a mistake.

Now, we were in Albany for nine months
and we made a lot of mistakes.

But their sheriff, Laurie Pritchett,

he never made a mistake.

Kept his cool,
kept arresting us in a humane way,

carried people to
the jail-wagons on stretchers.

Day in, day out.

- There was no drama.
- You mean there was no cameras.

Exactly.

Now I know, we all understand,
that you young people

believe in working in
the community long-term.

Doing the good work
to raise black consciousness.

It's good grassroots work.

I can't tell you how much
we admire that.

But what we do

is negotiate,

demonstrate,

resist.

And a big part of that

is raising white consciousness.

And in particular the consciousness

of whichever white man happens
to be sitting in the Oval Office.

Right now, Johnson has other fish to fry
and he'll ignore us if he can.

The only way to stop him doing that

is by being on the front page
of the national press every morning

and by being on the TV news every night.

And that requires

drama.

Now...

John.

James.

Answer me one question.

I've been told the sheriff in this town
isn't like Laurie Pritchett in Albany.

He's a big ignorant bully
like Bull Connor in Birmingham.

Well, you tell me. You know Selma.

You know Sheriff Jim Clark.

Is he Laurie Pritchett?

Or is he Bull Connor?

He's Bull Connor.

- ABERNATHY: Bingo!
- Good.

That's good.

But it gets better.

See, Clark doesn't control the streets
like Connor did in Birmingham.

Clark's the County Sheriff,

and all he controls in Selma
is the County Courthouse.

So relatively speaking,

we have clear avenues of approach

to a defined battle zone.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

In the courthouse sits
the heart of the matter,

the voter registration office.

Now this is an exceptional circumstance.

See, in Albany, there were
no clearly defined battle zones.

The issue was segregation,

and segregation was everywhere.

In Selma, we can concentrate
our actions on one building.

A citadel, defended by fanatics.

The Selma Courthouse.

A perfect stage.

(WHITE PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

CLARK: Y'all deliberately
causing an obstruction!

You don't disperse,
you're gonna be arrested.

I promise you!

Sheriff Clark,

we're trying to gain access
to the registration office.

Which is our legal right.

CLARK: There's too many of you.

And you know damn well there is!

Now, y'all just gonna have
to wait at the rear!

No, Sheriff Clark.

We're going in the front

and we're gonna wait right here.

Segregation is now illegal
in this country, sir.

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING CONTINUES)

WOMAN: Get out, nigger.

- JIMMIE: Come on.
- CAGER: I'm trying.

VIOLA: Kneel down, Daddy.

CLARK: Come on.

Keep this sidewalk clear. Clear a path!

Get out of the way! Get out of the way!

Get the hell out of the way!

Keep the sidewalk clear!

I said keep it clear!

Okay. We about to sit him down.
He can't sit.

CLARK: Then he needs to learn.

- He gonna sit.
- Sit down, God damn it!

JIMMIE: Hey, hey! Pa? Pa?

VIOLA: Daddy.

JIMMIE: I just told you he can't sit.

CLARK: Oh, what do we got here?

What's going on here, boy?
What we got here? What we got here?

- Jimmie! Sit down!
- No, Mama, I'm sick of this.

- Jimmie!
- VIOLA: Don't do it.

- Do you have a problem, boy?
- JIMMIE: I'm sick of this! I just told you...

CLARK: What'd you think, boy?
What'd you think?

What the fuck are you thinking?

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(PEOPLE GASP)

Get that nigger woman!

MAN: Kill that nigger bitch!

Get your hands off of me!

(GRUNTING)
(PEOPLE CLAMORING)

(SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY)

WALLACE: We will not tolerate
a bunch of nigra agitators

attempting to orchestrate
a disturbance in this state.

Not as long as I'm governor.

Now, I stand here today

(CAMERA CLICKING)

in the cradle of the Confederacy

to remind its people
of our Founding Fathers' goals of duty.

Goals long since forgotten
by progressives and liberals

in favor of what they call
a changing world.

They seek to make us one mongrel unit.

Instead of allowing each race to flourish
from its separate racial station

as has been the standard
for generations now.

Good morning, Mr. President.

Their changing world

is sickening the balance
of the Southland.

Now...

I pledged to stand up
forAlabama when I campaigned

and the people elected me
on that pledge,

and that is exactly what I intend to do.

(WOMAN SIGHS)

ABERNATHY: Johnson'll flinch.

KING: I'm tired, Ralphy.

Tiring of this.

Eyes on the prize, Martin.

Yeah, but what is the prize, friend?

We fight to have a seat
at whatever table we want.

How does it help a black man
to be able to eat at a lunch counter

if he doesn't earn enough
to buy the burger?

Or worse yet, can't even...

Can't even read the menu

'cause there was no Negro school
where he's from.

What is that?

That equality?

- Amen.
- And what about in our minds?

Equality in the black psyche.
Look at these men.

Beaten and broken down for generations.

Deciding to demand more?

What happens when a man stands up
and says enough is enough?

Look at Medgar.

Murdered the man in his own driveway.

Kids and wife right there
inside the house.

George and Herbert Lee, Lamar Smith.

A man stands up, only to be struck down.

And what happens to the people he led?

(SIGHS)

What are we doing, Ralphy?

We take it piece by piece.

Like we been doing.

We build the path as we can.

Rock by rock.

This cell is probably bugged.

(LAUGHING)

It probably is.

Oh, Lord.

They're gonna ruin me
so they can ruin this movement.

They are.

"Look at the birds of the air,

"that they do not sow, nor reap,

"nor gather into barns,

"and yet your Heavenly Father
doth feed them.

"Are you not worth much more than they?

"And who of you by being worried

"can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6, verse 27.

All right.

Yes, sir.

(SIGHS)

VIVIAN: What? Where did you hear that?

ORANGE: I overheard them talking
about him coming in this evening.

LEWIS: Overheard us?

I'm learning about this just like you.
We didn't do this.

WILLIAMS: That Negro
can't be talking about that

"by any means necessary" madness
with these people.

They about to bust as it is.

He's on his way here, right?

So we gotta figure this out.
Right and fast.

Oh, he ain't on his way. He here.

Holy shit.

(CAR DOORS CLOSING)

- Are you all right?
- (EXHALES)

I wish I had more time
to prepare is all.

I want to do this kind of thing
whenever possible.

But I don't get to do it enough
to feel entirely comfortable.

I prefer to be prepared.

Yes, I understand that.

I admire you. I do.

Sometimes I wish
I were more out there in the trenches.

You do more than you know, Mrs. King.

(CORETTA EXHALES)

I'll tell you what I know to be true.

It helps me in times
when I'm feeling unsure.

If you'd like.

Oh, please do, Mrs. Boynton.

I know that we are descendants
of a mighty people,

who gave civilization to the world.

People who survived
the hulls of slave ships

across vast oceans.

People who innovate and create and love

despite pressures
and tortures unimaginable.

They are in our bloodstream.

Pumping our hearts every second.

They've prepared you.

You are already prepared.

Mrs. King, I mean no disrespect.

I come with great respect
for your husband.

I have no army behind me anymore.

I have myself and the truth.

That is all I stand on today.

You've said disrespectful things
in the past, Minister.

So you'll understand
why there is some alarm here tonight.

I do. I understand that.

Your husband and I, we do not see
exactly eye-to-eye

on how to achieve progress
for the black man.

And yes, I have been piercing
in my critiques of non-violence.

But because we don't agree, Mrs. King,
does not mean that I'm the enemy.

What do you intend to say
to these people then, sir?

A lot of work has been done here,

and I don't intend to
see it undone tonight.

Let's just say,
my eyes see in a new way.

But your local sheriff here?
He doesn't know that.

So allow me to be the alternative
to your husband.

The alternative that scares them so much

they turn to Dr. King in refuge.

Let my being here, Mrs. King,
represent the factions

that will come if they don't
give the good reverend

what he's asking for and soon.

Do you know what he has said
about us in the past, Coretta?

He called us "ignorant Negro preachers."

Called me a modern day Uncle Tom.

Said on national television
that the white man pays me

to keep Negroes defenseless.

The white man pays me!

How could you allow it?

It wasn't like that this time, Martin.
I'm telling you...

He spoke with some of
the words he's used before,

but it wasn't aimed at you.

It was...

It had more to do with helping us.

Not that you need his help.

I'm just telling you how it was.

This movement, our movement,

has been the one
that has moved the needle.

Our movement changes laws

and day-to-day life for our people.

But what has he changed?

Actually changed?

You don't sound like yourself.
You sound tired.

And you sound enamored.

(CORETTA SIGHS)

I didn't mean that.

Corrie.

Coretta.

I didn't mean that.

(CORETTA SIGHS)

I'm tired.

You're right.

Rest then.

Rest tonight, Martin.

WALLACE: This is not
what I want to hear.

How in Christ's sake does
Malcolm X slip into my state,

meet with the wife of the other one,

and give an actual speech
to these nigras

who are already riled up enough?

I mean, how does that happen,
Colonel Lingo?

Governor...

Is every spook militant in existence
gonna pay us a visit?

- Huh?
- (SIGHS)

Do you know what this means?

Johnson is going to get jumpy.

King and X together is sending him
through the cotton-pickin' stratosphere.

And pictures of nigras
getting beat in the street

- doesn't help the matter.
- Governor...

Now I can't make a move
against that backwoods,

white trash Sheriff Clark 'cause
that'll be seen as I'm helping King.

But somebody got to
get Jim Clark under control.

Election year is coming up

and this black voting business
won't abide.

I mean, what's not clear about that?

Look, George, I'm telling you,

if the Lord Jesus and Elvis Presley

come visiting and they said,

"Jim, now, we need you to
treat them niggers nice."

Jim Clark would beat the shit
out of the pair of them,

then throw them in jail.

Jesus H. Christ.

Jim's a good old boy,
he's a friend of mine.

Jim Clark just ain't that scary.

Now he's playing into their hands.

Now...

If you want fear,

you need dominance in Selma.

Hoover picked up some intel
about a night march.

Wasn't announced.

It's some locals
outside of King's group.

Unofficial, they called it.

Supposed to happen tomorrow night
once King leaves jail.

Going to some bleeding heart
fundraiser in California.

WALLACE: So...

King's out of town.

Fewer cameras.

And at night.

LINGO: Find a reason
to send us in there.

Let's scare some real sense
into them black bastards.

OFFICER: (OVER LOUDSPEAKER)
Y'all move back. Move back now. Get back.

Go back to your homes now.

(OFFICER BLOWING WHISTLE)

(ALL SCREAMING)

- Stop! Leave him be!
- Mama, come on!

Mama, come on!

We gotta keep moving. Come on.

This way, this way.

WOMAN: Leave him alone.

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)

(ALL PANTING)

It's all right.

It's gonna be all right. Okay?

Act like you're...
Act like you're reading your menu. Okay?

It's okay.

Pops...

It's all right, Mama.
It's gonna be cool.

It's okay, it's okay.

JIMMIE: Hey! Hey...

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

No, get off of him! Just get off of him!

Get off of him! No!

No! Get off of him!

(GROANS)
(VIOLA SCREAMING)

VIOLA: Stop it! No, no, no!

- (COCKING GUN)
- Stop it!

(VIOLA WAILING)

Help me.

(SIRENS BLARING IN DISTANCE)

(CRYING)

Help me.

Jimmie.

Jimmie. Jimmie. Jimmie.

Help me.

Sir?

Oh. Dr. King.

There are no words
to soothe you, Mr. Lee.

There are no words.

But I can tell you
one thing for certain.

God was the first to cry.

Yes.

He was the first to cry for your boy.

Yes. I believe that.

Is your daughter...

Is Jimmie Lee's mother here, Mr. Lee?

No, she... She couldn't make it.

May I ask your age, sir?

Well, I... I got 82 years.

1883.

Right.

(STAMMERING) Yeah. Jimmie...

He born in '38.

He a Army man.

I mean, he was... Was an Army man.

In the Army a spell.

He say, "Pa, you gonna vote
before you done."

Mmm-hmm. That's what he said.

He tell me.

- He was a good boy.
- Yes.

Always good.

Always good.

Jimmie gone.

I'm so sorry.

Yeah.

KING: Who murdered Jimmie Lee Jackson?

Who murdered Jimmie Lee Jackson?

We know a state trooper

acting under the orders
of George Wallace

pointed the gun and pulled the trigger.

But how many other fingers
were on that trigger?

Who murdered Jimmie Lee Jackson?

Every white lawman
who abuses the law to terrorize.

Every white politician

who feeds on prejudice and hatred.

(ALL AGREEING)

Every white preacher
who preaches the Bible

and stays silent
before his white congregation.

(ALL AGREEING)

Who murdered Jimmie Lee Jackson?

Every Negro man and woman

who stands by without joining this fight

as their brothers and sisters
are humiliated,

brutalized, and ripped from this earth!

(APPLAUSE)

When I heard

President Kennedy
had been shot and killed...

And when I heard just yesterday

that Malcolm X,

who stood in this very church
just three weeks ago,

had been shot and killed,

I turned to my wife Coretta

and said the same thing I often say

when one of our leaders is struck down,

"Our lives are not fully lived

"if we're not willing to die
for those we love

"and for what we believe."

(ALL AGREEING)

But today, Jimmie,

we're doing the living
and you've done the dying, dear brother.

We will not let your sacrifice
pass in vain, dear brother.

We will not let it go!

We will finish what you were after!

We will get what you were denied!

We will vote and we will
put these men out of office!

We will take their power!

We will win
what you were slaughtered for!

PEOPLE: Yeah!

We're going back to Washington.

We're going to demand
to see the President.

And I'm gonna tell him

that Jimmie was murdered
by an administration

that spends millions of dollars
every day

to sacrifice life
in the name of liberty in Vietnam,

yet lacks the moral will
and the moral courage

to defend the lives
of its own people here in America!

(APPLAUSE)

We will not let it go!

And if he does not act,
we will act. We will act!

We will do it for all of our lost ones.

All of those, like Jimmie Lee Jackson,

who have gone too soon,

taken by hate!

(APPLAUSE)

Let me hear the top-tier issues

that have to be evident
in the overall legislation we demand.

Let's break it down.

But let's root this discussion
in what we know.

We know Johnson
can't see the full picture.

So, let's paint it for him.

What are the specific hardships
and humiliations

we can address within the larger
context of legislation?

Doc, we gotta start
with banning these laws that

if a Negro tries to register,

I mean, actually musters up
the courage to go in that courthouse,

that their name and address
is published in the paper.

It gives anybody who wants
to do them any harm

their exact location,
and we know how the Klan is.

I hear that. But the poll taxes
got to be our focus first.

'Cause black people are poor!

- Black people are poor down here.
- Yep.

And they expected to pay for every year
they weren't legally registered

before they can register.

Now, what the hell is that?
Who got that kind of money?

(ALL CLAMORING)

VIVIAN: Come on now! Listen now!

The big issue is voting vouchers.

Is that the number one issue?

VIVIAN: Now hold on. Let me finish.

'Cause everybody'll forget
about this part.

But if you're Negro,
the only way you can vote

is if an approved registered voter
vouches for you.

Right? So, let's say, you take
some place like Lowndes County,

where there are no Negroes
who are registered

and you've got to have someone
who is registered to vouch for you.

What are you supposed to do?

- Hmm?
- Mmm.

Nobody you know,

not a single black person
for 100 miles is registered.

So how do you get the voucher, right?

To get you into the courthouse door

to pay the poll tax

to get your name published

and get yourself dead.

That's true.

We need a new plan!

I can't take him back to Washington

and waltz into the White House
with a list of empty demands.

Tactics, my friends!

We must break down this institution

into the tangible tactics
that it takes to dismantle it.

JOHNSON: What's your next move?

A march from Selma to Montgomery
to protest and amplify.

Well, I'll be damned.

This was always
part of the plan, wasn't it?

Provoke some tragedy
in little old Selma, then go big.

Get someone killed
and march on the State Capitol!

Selma to Montgomery's gotta be 50 miles!

You march those people
into rural Alabama unprotected,

it's gonna be open season.

It's too damn far
and too damn dangerous!

Then propose new legislation, sir.

I can't do that this year.
I won't! I told you.

We need your involvement here,
Mr. President.

We deserve your help
as citizens of this country.

Citizens under attack.

Now, you listen to me. You listen to me.

You're an activist. I'm a politician.

You got one big issue.
I got a hundred and one.

Now, you demanding more

and putting me on the spot
with this visit, that's okay.

That's your job. That's what you do.

But I am sick and tired

of you demanding and telling me

what I can and what I can't do.

If you want my support
on this voting thing,

I need some quid pro quo from you.

What do you want, Mr. President?

We have a line on
some threats that are, uh...

particularly troubling.

Well, what's new?

No, no. This is serious.
Credible threats with detail.

RUSTIN: This information,
coming from the FBI, I assume?

High-level?

The same high-level
that's been tracking us like animals?

Bugging our homes and our hotel rooms.

Digging for things
that simply are not there, Lee?

This all feels very convenient.

WHITE: Okay.

This is coming from
Lowndes County, Alabama.

Between Selma and Montgomery.

I'm telling you, if he were my guy,

I'd keep him off the frontlines.

Just for a while.

Not gonna happen, Lee.

Meet me halfway on this, Martin.

I can't, Mr. President.

Can't or won't?

I came here hoping
to talk to you about people.

People are dying in the street for this.

It cannot wait, sir.

Mr. President, how did it go?

What can I do to help?

Get me J. Edgar Hoover.

MAN #1: (ON TAPE) King,

you know you are a complete fraud

and a liability to all nigras.

Like all frauds,
your end is approaching.

You are done.

Your degrees and your fancy awards
will not save you.

The American public
will soon know you for what you are,

an evil, abnormal beast.

(MAN #2 GRUNTING ON TAPE)

(WOMAN MOANING ON TAPE)

(TAPE STOPS)

That wasn't me.

That isn't me, Corrie.

I know.

I know what you sound like.

I've gotten used to a lot.

All the hours wondering
after your safety,

worried about how you are.

This house.

Renting here.

No foundation.

Without the things
the children should have,

all because of how it would look.

I have gotten used to it,

for better or worse.

(SIGHS)

But what I have never gotten used to

is the death.

The constant closeness of death.

(CORETTA SIGHS)

It's become like a thick fog to me.

I can't see life sometimes

because of the fog of death
constantly hanging over.

People actually say
that they will stop the blood

running through the hearts
of our children.

That's what they said
on the other end of that phone line.

How they're going to kill my children.

And what they'll do to you
and how they'll do it.

How many years
have I had to listen to this?

The filth,

deranged and twisted
and just ignorant enough to be serious.

If I ask you something,

will you answer me with the truth?

Yes.

Good,

because I am not a fool.

Do you love me?

Yes, I love you, Coretta.

(SNIFFLES)

Do you love any of the others?

No.

I need to put the march back a day.

YOUNG: Why?

I have to be home right now.

YOUNG: Oh.

Yes. Okay. I understand.

But I have to tell you
the organization looks good.

Real good.

The mood is strong.
And the locals are prepared.

The SNCC kids are ready to go.

We can start it off from Selma,

and you can join in on the second day.

I just think it'd be a mistake
to hold people back

when their blood is up.

KING: I hear you, but we need
to be out there full throttle.

This ain't a test run.

We need to get to Montgomery.

I warned Johnson that
we were going to the Capitol.

We need to do just that.

YOUNG: And I believe we will.
We'll get there.

And when we do
the real deal, the finale,

when you make the big speech at the end,

right on Wallace's doorstep.

KING: I don't know, Andy.

YOUNG: It'll be just fine.

We'll get it started strong.
And you'll finish strong.

Mmm.

Okay. Uh... Let's proceed.

But only one of us walks to start.

I don't want to get back on Monday
and find all our leadership in jail.

One of us walks.

YOUNG: Understood.

There will be no march
from Selma to Montgomery.

It is not conducive to
traffic flow on Route 80.

Or to public safety.

Your lives could be in danger,

but we're going to be strong
if we stick together.

Don't fight back.
It's a non-violent movement.

Non-violence is not passive.
It's actually very strong.

We shouldn't do this, John.

This is not us. This is not SNCC.

It's some bullshit.

It's gonna do more for King
and the SCLC than for Selma.

This is Alabama.

They can keep their asses
in Washington, D.C.

You don't tell us how to live our lives.

This is an example of what
you might deal with out there.

What you might experience.
Here we go. Let's show them.

We don't want your kind here.

Go to the bottom of the river,
black boy.

We're going to put you down
in Alabama River!

LEWIS: He's not even here.
How's it gonna do more for him?

FORMAN: Well, why ain't
he here, then, man?

Are you listening to yourself?

First, it's gonna do more for him.
Now, it's why he ain't here?

Do you want him here,
or do you not want him here?

Honestly, I don't give a rat's ass
about that man. That's your hero.

Let's take these bastards
and stick them down into Alabama River

and never see them again.

James, you are so off-base with this.

All this nonsense.
This ain't what SNCC is about.

Don't make me out to be
the bad guy here, John.

I'm not! You're the one
playing me small.

- Don't demonize me...
- (OVERLAPPING ARGUMENT)

You're mad because they called him in.

We were here first.
And they called him in.

I get it. I understand that.

But if we are really
and truly for the people,

and the people of Selma chose him,

well, then the people have spoken.

And if they want to march,
then I'm marching with them.

Then, brother,

you're marching as John Lewis.

Not as part of SNCC.

It's been voted on and decided.

For this march, you're on your own
with De Lawd and his disciples.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

VIVIAN: Short man wins. Short man wins.

Short man wins.

All right.

All right. Who got it?

It's on you, Hosea.

WILLIAMS: You ready, young blood?
You ready?

- All right. Let's do this.
- All right.

REED: About 525 Negroes
had left Brown's Chapel

and walked six blocks to cross
Pettus Bridge and the Alabama River.

There were young and old,

and they carried an assortment of packs,
bed rolls and lunch sacks.

The troopers were waiting
300 yards beyond the end of the bridge.

Behind the troopers
were dozens of possemen,

15 of them on horses,

and perhaps 100 white spectators.

Can you swim?

Not many swimming pools for
black folk where I come from.

Yeah.

(REPORTERS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

(CAMERAS CLICKING)

Andy. It's Bayard. Everybody there?

Yes.

BAYARD: Turn on CBS right now, Andy.

Right now. You have a TV there?

- Yes. Now?
- Right now!

Turn on the television set.

ANNOUNCER: (ON TV) We interrupt
this program to bring you

a special bulletin from CBS News.

Give 'em two minutes. Stand right there.

We're ready.

This is an unlawful assembly.

You have two minutes to disperse.

Go home or go to your church.

This march will not continue.

Two minutes.

May I have a word with the Major?

There's no word to be had.

Major Cloud, may we speak with you?

Troopers, advance!

(GUNSHOT)

(TROOPERS YELLING)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

(PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

Seventy million people
are watching this.

REED: The first 10 or 20 Negroes

were swept to the ground screaming,

arms and legs flying,

packs and bags went skittering
across the grassy divider.

(GUNFIRE)

(ALL SCREAMING)

(GROANING)

REED: Those still on their feet retreated.

A cheer went up
from the white spectators

lining the south side of the highway.

(ALL SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

- (COUGHING)
- Come on.

You gotta come on.

MAN: Please, don't...

REED: The troopers continued pushing,

using both the force of their bodies
and the prodding of their nightsticks.

(GROANS)

(ALL CLAMORING)

(GUNSHOT)

REED: Suddenly, there was
a sharp sound, like a gunshot,

and a gray cloud spewed over
the troopers and the Negroes.

But before the cloud hid it all,

there were several seconds
of unobstructed view.

(CLEARS THROAT)

(YELLING)

REED: Fifteen or 20 nightsticks

could be seen through the gas,

flailing at the heads of the marchers.

Ahhh!

REED: The Negroes cried out

as they crowded together for protection,

and the whites on the sidelines
whooped and cheered.

From the hospital
came reports of victims

suffering fractures of ribs,
heads, arms and legs.

And Negro leader John Lewis,

despite injury from
a possible skull fracture,

led the marchers back to the chapel
after the encounter with officers.

Help!

Help!

He said, "I don't see
how President Johnson

"can send troops to Vietnam

"and can't send troops
to Selma, Alabama."

To which the Negroes present
roared their approval.

(GOSPEL MUSIC PLAYING)

(INAUDIBLE)

MAN: Gerry! Gerry, come with us!
Come with us!

We need your gun, man!

GERRY: I can't walk!

MAN: Come with us. We know you got
them guns in the shed, Gerry.

Hey, hey, hey, what you need guns for?

The Bible says,
"An eye for an eye," Reverend.

- Yeah?
- I'm sick of this shit!

How many guns
you think they got down there?

That's an entire army down there.

What you got? A couple of .32s? A .38?

Maybe a couple of old scatterguns? What?

I got enough to kill a couple
of them crackers, that's what I got!

And how many of us you think
they gonna kill in retaliation?

With their 12-gauge pump-actions,
their Colt automatics,

their Remingtons, their helicopters,
their tanks!

We won't win that way,
and I ain't talking about the Bible.

I ain't talking what's right by God.

I am talking facts. Cold, hard facts!

Now, you take two of them,
and they take 10 of us.

No. We have to win another way.

ANNOUNCER: (ON TV) ...to our
regularly scheduled program.

We're going back to the bridge.

We're going to finish this,
we promise you that, Ms. Amelia.

We go again.

(REPORTERS CLAMORING)

(CAMERAS CLICKING)

MALE REPORTER: Dr. King!
Can we get a statement, sir?

Dr. King! Morning, Doctor.

Can we get a statement, please?

- KING: Morning.
- Morning.

While rageful violence continues
towards the unarmed people of Selma,

while they are assaulted with tear gas
and batons like an enemy in a war,

no citizen of this country
can call themselves blameless,

for we all bear a responsibility
for our fellow man.

I am appealing to men and women of God

and goodwill everywhere,

white, black and otherwise.

If you believe all are created equal,
come to Selma.

Join us. Join our march
against injustice and inhumanity.

We need you to stand with us.

GRAY: Judge Johnson,
Dr. King's call-to-action

was nationally televised.

We've seen hundreds of people travel across
the country to attend tomorrow's march,

mostly white,
mostly clergy of some kind.

The SCLC is seeking
a federal court order

enjoining the state authorities
from interfering with the next march.

You're asking me to overturn
the Governor's mandate

and to do so without a hearing,

but it's not going to happen at all
without a proper proceeding.

Dr. King is in position
to lead tomorrow's march, Judge.

Understood, but you will have
your day in court on Thursday, Mr. Gray.

Meanwhile, there will be
no march tomorrow.

I will not oppose Wallace
against protocol.

"Thousands head south in moral crusade."

WHITE: The SCLC already filed an appeal

against Wallace's orders this morning.

You want my advice, Mr. President?

You have to ask?

Give King the march to Montgomery.

Do that, and then Selma's over.

Then you're back in control.

In control of what?

Another civil war?

This ain't about the goddamn march.

You think he cares about the march?

He wants the law changed, now.

I've got Congress
calling me by the dozens.

I've got picketing that gets
bigger and bigger every day.

He tugs on their goddamn
white liberal conscience.

Every march pulls 'em. Especially when
people are getting beat up in the streets.

These pictures are going
around the world, Lee.

I understand, Mr. President.

All the more reason to act now.

I'm gonna act now.

You tell Wallace
and those backwater hicks

I don't want to see
any more of this horseshit.

And you tell King he best not march,
you hear me?

Either King stops and Wallace stops,

or I'll stop 'em both.

I'm here on the President's order
to try and make this work.

Please work with me.

So we give up the march and you...

You give what?

We asked for federal protection.

And with no disrespect, but when
the Assistant Attorney General

is the highest-ranking
federal official in Selma,

we have our answer.

And it's not the one we want.

Might I suggest that you
speak with Governor Wallace

and Sheriff Clark
and urge them against violence

instead of trying to persuade us

not to have a peaceful protest?

Maybe we can make a deal.

What if I

could assure you that the administration
would endorse a later march

if tomorrow is called off?

You know what?
He's closer than you may think

to coming around on this issue.

I believe this compromise
might be agreeable.

KING: Mr. Doar?

Thousands have gathered here
to demonstrate their dignity.

I don't want to challenge Judge Johnson.

I don't want to go
against the President.

I don't want any of this.

The President could stop this
with a stroke of his pen.

He chooses not to.

The decision is with your side, sir,

not ours.

(BLUES MUSIC PLAYING)

Good to see you, Father.
Good to see you.

Thank you for coming.
Thank you for coming out.

Hello, sister. Good to
see you this afternoon.

Oh. Oh... You came.

You called and we came, my friend.

You are not alone, my friend.

Welcome, welcome.

- Hi, what's your name?
- Susan.

Hi, I'm Viola. Welcome to Selma.

- Yes, ma'am, I'm good. How are you?
- Fine, thank you.

What is your name
and where are you from, sir?

My name is James Reeb.
I've come from Boston.

Tell me, why have you
traveled here, Mr. Reeb?

I heard about the attack
of innocent people

who just want their rights,

and I couldn't just stand by
when Dr. King put out that call to clergy.

I couldn't.

The President doesn't
want us to march today.

(CROWD CHEERS)

The courts don't want us to march.

But we must march.

ALL: Yeah!

- We must stand up.
- ALL: Yeah!

We must make a massive demonstration
of our moral certainty.

(CROWD CHEERING)

I'm so glad we're here together today.

I thank you for standing up.

For we shall be victorious in our quest.

We shall cross the finish line
hand in hand.

For we shall overcome.

All right.

(APPLAUSE)

(FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)

Troopers, withdraw!

(APPLAUSE)

My point is,
after what happened the last time,

if it don't feel right, we don't do it.
That's my point.

We've been going round
and round on this for hours,

and nothing's gonna change the fact that

it was Doc's decision
and we have to support him.

NASH: This is a movement
of many, not of one.

So any choice we make
has to be right for many.

Come on, Diane. Now, you know
that's not what I meant by that, all right?

People are angry, Dr. King.

Angry. They went back to that bridge
because they were hot about Sunday.

That was our moment out there today.

And you threw it away.

They could've sealed off
the road behind us.

No food, water, no kind of
support allowed through.

We wouldn't have made 10 miles.

You saying this was a trap?

(SIGHS)

I don't know what it was.

That was no trap!

You know why they
opened up the road to us?

Because all them nice,
respectable white folks

was with us, and we
should've capitalized on that.

Because they're not gonna be
around here for long. They never are!

It was Martin's call. It's done.

- He made the wrong goddamn call!
- Hey, watch your mouth, young man!

Two days ago,
you didn't wanna march at all.

And now you're mad because
it didn't go the way you planned?

BEVEL: Calm down, brother.

Now, what happened out there today?

You gotta tell us something. Please.

I'd rather people be upset and hate me

than be bleeding or dead.

(SIGHS)

KING: My dearest Corrie,

at a time when I need you,

I cannot call you.

And I have done this to myself, to us.

At this late hour,

my thoughts are of you

and all you have sacrificed
for this struggle.

So many have sacrificed.

So many have been lost.

I wonder how many must we lose.

I pray for discernment and guidance
as we journey on.

I pray, too, that I can justify
the faith you once had in me.

I, too, often feel that heavy fog
you spoke of, Corrie.

Only you and our family clears the haze.

Love, Martin.

MAN: He betrayed trust.

He called, we came,
and he didn't fulfill his own call.

Yeah, but sometimes
it's not that clear-cut.

Sometimes it's instinctual.

Like when you're preaching,

and you're just flying.

You know, you're not on the notes.
You're not on memory.

You're tapped into what's higher,
what's true.

God is guiding you.

I've known that feeling.

It's rare, but I've known it.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

I think that's what happened to Dr. King
up there on the bridge today.

He kneeled down,
prayed to God and got an answer.

And he was brave enough
to follow that answer,

and I, for one, don't fault him for it.

- Except he owes me a bus ticket home.
- (CHUCKLES)

MAN #1: You know what
I hate more than niggers?

MAN #2: What's that?

White niggers.

Look, we don't want trouble, okay?

MAN #1: No, you came here
stirrin' trouble.

(GROANING)

(GRUNTS)

Doc,

someone's been hurt.

(GROANING)

A priest, from Boston.

White.

Now you know what being a nigger
around here feels like, boy.

Hurt? How?

Dead.

(GASPS)

I need a phone!

Chicago, Detroit, Boston, I don't care.

Hell, you got 2,000 people
marching up in Harlem.

Well, good for you.

But when you have people
come inside the White House?

Inside the White House! On a tour?

They just sat down, Martin.

They sat down in the main corridor,

started singin' and shoutin'.
Well, I won't have it!

I cannot stop people from expressing...

You can! You can stop them.

No, you can stop it.
You, sir, can do more.

Now I'm glad to hear that you called
Reverend Reeb's widow, sir.

That is very fine, and it is right.

I only wish that
Jimmie Lee Jackson's family

would have received the same
consideration from their President.

Don't you lay your guilt at my door.

You're the one choosing to send

people out to slaughter
when we told you there was trouble.

We won't sit idle

while you wait another year or two
to send this bill up at your leisure.

That should be clear by now.

We will continue to demonstrate
until you take action, sir.

And if our President
won't protect our rights,

we will take this fight to court.

You know, I'm... I'm trying here.

We're getting close
to figuring something out

on this voting thing,
but I will not have this!

This bill has been
almost impossible to craft,

you hear me?

You think you're jugglin', Martin?
I'm jugglin', too.

I am a preacher from Atlanta.

You are the man who won the presidency
of the world's most powerful nation

by the greatest landslide
in history four months ago.

And you are the man

dismantling your own legacy
with each passing day.

No one will remember
the Civil Rights Act.

But they will remember
the standoff in Selma

when you never even
set foot in this state.

They will remember you saying,
"Wait," and "I can't,"

unless you act, sir.

- KING: Evenin'.
- Evenin'.

(MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)

I wanted to speak privately.

I know there's been trouble
with the group,

and I apologize that our efforts

have caused a rift between y'all.

That's a painful thing, I know,

and I'm truly sorry it's happened.

Yeah, painful.

(SIGHS)

LBJ is not moving, John.

I thought he would,
but our efforts are not working,

and I can't risk another march
with people getting killed

when it's not working. I won't do it.

We need voting, not marching.
You know that.

We have to move beyond these protests
to some real political power.

This can't go on forever like this.

I can't go on like this.

(SIGHS)

When I was...

When I was working with SNCC
on the Freedom Rides,

the Montgomery bus
reached the city limits.

We got off. And out of nowhere,

from all directions, they came.

There was men, women.

Kids, too.

They had just about every
makeshift weapon you could think of.

I mean, bats, bricks,

tire irons, pipes.

I remember...

I remember this little girl
just clawing her nails

into the side of my friend Jessie's face

while her daddy... Her daddy
beat him with an ax handle.

Jessie was unconscious,

and they just kept beating on him
and beating on him.

I must've passed out
on the asphalt somewhere.

Next day, I found myself patched up
and sitting in a church.

I could barely hold my head up,
but I needed to be there.

You were gonna be speaking.

And I needed to hear you.

And I was feeling down,
but you got up there.

You remember that day at all?

(KING SIGHS)

I don't think we remember it
the same way.

What'd I say, John?

I'm about to tell you right now.

And I hope you hear me.

You said that we would triumph.

That we would triumph
because there could be no other way.

And you know what else you said?

You said,

"Fear not.

"We've come too far to turn back now."

KING: I feel good about where we are.

We have a strong case.

- We can do this.
- Right.

KING: Now, Ms. Cooper
and Ms. Boynton are here,

- and they need to be ready.
- LEWIS: Mmm-hmm.

KING: A lot depends on
what they have to say. Okay?

YOUNG: Mmm.
I hear what you're saying, but...

You're here.

Yes, I'm here.

I'm glad.

Just in time.

In the matter of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference

v. the state of Alabama,

I will now hear testimony
from the plaintiffs. Mr. Gray.

Your Honor, you will hear
testimony from the victims

who were beaten and bludgeoned
in their quest for freedom.

For their right to vote
and to self-determine.

The fact of the matter, Your Honor,

is that the incidents that occurred
cannot be disputed.

These particular circumstances

will paint a thorough picture
of the horrific events endured in Selma.

Very well, you may proceed.

Mr. King, you went out on that bridge
in direct violation of that judge's orders.

You deliberately disobeyed this judge
and the Governor, did you not?

Thousands of people came to Selma,

aroused by Sunday's brutal acts

exacted by officials
of the city of Selma

and the state of Alabama.

I felt if I had not led the march,

pent-up emotions and inner tensions

would have led to an uncontrollable
retaliatory situation,

a violent situation on both sides.

I don't need any of your preaching
and prancing in here,

you hear? I want an answer.

Objection.

Watch it, counselor.

I'm trying very hard, Judge.

Try harder, counselor.

It seems basic
to our constitutional principles

that the extent
of the right to assemble,

and demonstrate and march

along the highway in a peaceful manner

ought to be commensurate

with the enormity of the wrongs

that are being protested
and petitioned against.

In this case, the wrongs are enormous.

Therefore,

the extent of the right to demonstrate

in an estimated five-day march
from Selma to Montgomery

has been approved accordingly.

- MAN: Yes!
- WOMAN: Thank God!

(CROWD MURMURING)

JUDGE: There's no further
business with this court.

These proceedings are concluded,
with our thanks to the litigants.

Good day, gentlemen.

(INDISTINCT)

MAN: Yeah, that's right.

Well, now, we don't like
to have no mistakes, if you...

If you're sure about it.

Bayard says that Harry says
he can get Nina Simone,

Dick Gregory, Joan Baez,
Peter, Paul and Mary in.

(PEOPLE EXCLAIMING IN SURPRISE)

Come on now.
We don't got money for that.

Well, Harry is chartering
a plane himself.

(SINGING) Day-O, day-O

ALL: Daylight come and me wan' go home

President's angling for your blocking
of the march to be overturned.

Unfortunately, all my maneuvers
have been put on hold

while the matter's being adjudicated.

JOHNSON: Governor, you wanted to talk.

Well, Mr. President...

Malcontents are disrupting Alabama,

and it's your responsibility
to stop them.

They're protesting
about the right to vote

and the way they're treated
in your state.

So that's your problem,
your responsibility,

and it's on your watch.

Mr. President, I disagree.

We have a certain way things are done.
It's the way it is.

And it's the way
the people want it to stay.

George, why are you doing this?

Your whole career
has been working for the poor.

Why are you off on this black thing?

Well, 'cause you can't ever
satisfy them.

First, it's the front seat of the bus.

Next, it's take over the parks,

then it's the public schools,

then it's voting, then it's jobs,

then it's distribution
of wealth without work.

George, you seen all those demonstrators

out front of the White House

keeping my Lady Bird awake
the whole damn night?

Oh, yes, Mr. President. I saw them.

Well, let's go out there, you and I,

and announce that you've decided
to let the blacks vote undeterred,

and this whole mess will go away.

And I don't have to draft bills
or force the issue.

Now, why don't we do that, George?

Why don't you just let the niggers vote?

You agree they got
the right to vote, don't you?

Oh, there's no quarrel with that.

I know that. That's the law.

Then why don't you just let 'em vote?

I don't have that power.

It belongs to the county registrars.

Now, don't shit me
about who runs Alabama.

I don't have any legal power
over the county registrars, Mr. President.

They have their regulations
and they adhere.

Are you trying to shit me,
George Wallace?

Are you trying
to fuck over your President?

Mr. President...

We shouldn't even
be thinking about 1965.

We should be thinking about 1985.

You and I'll be both dead
and gone by then.

In 1985, what do you want looking back?

You want people remembering you sayin',

"Wait," or "I can't,"
or, uh... "It's too hard"?

I don't right care what they think,

and you shouldn't neither.

Well...

I'll be damned if I'm gonna let history

put me in the same place
as the likes of you.

I speak tonight for the dignity of man

and the destiny of democracy.

At times, history and fate

meet at a single time in a single place.

So it was last week in Selma, Alabama.

There, long suffering men and women

peacefully protested the denial
of their rights as Americans.

Rarely in any time

does an issue lay bare the secret heart

of America itself.

The issue for equal rights
for the American Negro

is that issue.

For this issue,

many of them were brutally assaulted.

There is no Negro problem.
There is no Southern problem.

There is only an American problem.

(POLITICIANS APPLAUDING)

The Constitution says that
no person shall be kept from voting

because of his race or color.

To correct the denial
of this fundamental right,

this Wednesday,
I will send to Congress a law

designed to eliminate
these illegal barriers.

The bill will strike down
voting restrictions in all elections,

federal, state and local.

And we shall do this.

We shall overcome.

(APPLAUSE)

We believe we can cover you
through Lowndes County,

but once we add the final day's march
through Montgomery,

and you're passing through
all those tall buildings and whatnot,

coverage becomes challenging.

So please consider

driving in on the final leg.

And please consider nixing
the speech at the Capitol.

Well, if Wallace
will see us when we arrive,

there'll be no need for a speech.

- (CHUCKLES)
- Can you arrange that?

I can't hide.

We can't hide. You understand.

I don't want to see this
go wrong for you.

Don't you want
to protect yourself, Doctor?

Let me try to do that.

You know, I know you want to live to see
the fruits of all this work. I know you do.

I'm just asking you
to allow us to help you do that.

I'm no different than anybody else.

I want to live long and be happy.

But I'll not be focusing
on what I want today.

I'm focused on what God wants.

We're here for a reason,
through many, many storms.

But, today, the sun is shining,

and I'm about to stand in its warmth

alongside a lot of freedom-loving people
who worked hard to get us here.

I may not be with them
for all the sunny days to come,

but as long as there
is light ahead for them,

it's worth it to me.

Thank you, John.

(FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)

(INAUDIBLE)

(CROWD CHEERING)

KING: We heard them say
we'd never make it here.

We heard them say they'd stop us,
if it was the last thing they did.

We heard them say
we don't deserve to be here.

But today, we stand as Americans.

(CROWD CHEERING)

We are here,

and we ain't gonna let nobody
turn us around.

This mighty march,

which will be counted
as one of the greatest

demonstrations of protest and progress,

ends here in the Capitol of Alabama

for a vital purpose.

We have not fought only
for the right to sit where we please

and go to school where we please.

We do not only strive here today
to vote as we please.

But with our commitment,

we give birth each day to a new energy

that is stronger than
our strongest opposition.

(CROWD CHEERING)

And we embrace
this new energy so boldly,

embody it so fervently,

that its reflection illuminates
a great darkness.

(CHEERING)

Our society has distorted who we are.

From slavery to the Reconstruction

to the precipice at which we now stand,

we have seen powerful
white men rule the world

while offering poor white men
a vicious lie as placation.

And when the poor white man's children

wail with a hunger
that cannot be satisfied,

he feeds them that same vicious lie.

(CROWD AGREEING)

A lie whispering to them

that regardless of their lot in life,

they can at least be
triumphant in the knowledge

that their whiteness makes them
superior to blackness.

But we know the truth.

We know the truth, and we will
go forward to that truth, to freedom.

(CHEERING)

We will not be stopped.

We will march for our rights.

We will march to demand
treatment as full citizens.

We will march until the viciousness
and the darkness

gives way to the light of righteousness.

(CHEERING)

No man, no myth,

no malaise will stop this movement.

We forbid it. For we know
that it is this darkness

that murders the best in us
and the best of us.

Whether Jimmie Lee Jackson
or James Reeb,

or four blameless little girls

struck down before they had even begun.

You may ask, when will we
be free of this darkness?

I say to you today,
my brothers and sisters,

despite the pain, despite the tears,

our freedom will soon be upon us.

(CROWD CHEERING)

For "truth crushed to earth
will rise again."

When will we be free?

Soon, and very soon.

Because you shall reap what you sow.

When will we be free?

Soon, and very soon.

Because no lie can live forever.

When will we be free?

Soon, and very soon

because "Mine eyes have seen
the glory of the coming of the Lord.

"He is trampling out the vintage
where the grapes of wrath are stored.

"He hath loosed the fateful lightning
of his terrible swift sword.

"His truth is marching on.

"Glory! Hallelujah!

"His truth is marching on."

(INSPIRATIONAL SONG PLAYING)

(WORKERS IN SELMA SINGING TRADITIONAL HYMNS)

Improved By: Fidel