KENWOOD — Mayor Rahm Emanuel and mayoral candidate Jesus Chuy Garcia reflected on the 50th Anniversary of the march on Selma Saturday ahead of the April 7 runoff election.
Garcia joined members of Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Kenwood to pay respect to the individuals who marched on Selma seeking voters rights in 1965.
"I have to testify, were it not for Selma and all of the courageous freedom fighters that we honor today, I would not be here today," Garcia said.
Garcia lauded the courage of "everyday citizens who stood up during a pivotal moment in the nation history."
"The people of Selma could have given up, they could have said there are too many obstacles in our way ... they did not give up because they had hope and they had a vision," Garcia said
Garcia urged those in attendance to honor the brave individuals who marched on Selma to vote in the upcoming mayoral run-off election.
"No matter how you vote, it's important to honor, the heroes of Selma" by exercising your voting rights, Garcia added.
In a statement, Emanuel took time to reflect on the men and women who marched to give "every American the opportunity to fully participate in the American Dream."
"Facing great dangers, they marched from Selma to Montgomery determined to bring change to a country they knew could do better," Emanuel said.
"In doing so, they bent the arc of history closer towards justice. We stand on their shoulders and will forever be in their debt. While we have made progress, a lot more work remains. Fifty years after Selma we march on together as one city," Emanuel added.
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