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The Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee is the perfect way for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. to honor legendary members John Lewis and Hosea Williams.

Lewis and Williams were among the Foot Soldiers who were beaten on March 7, 1965, historically known as “Bloody Sunday,” which eventually led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

At the time, Lewis was with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and later became a renowned U.S. Rep. Williams was a Pastor and with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Sigmas attending the Jubilee ranged from  Selma, Montgomery, Florida and Mississippi. They held a cookout with wings, hot dogs and hamburgers on March 4 behind the Dallas County Courthouse Administrative building.

Chris Rey, International President of Phi Beta Sigma, said the Bridge Crossing Jubilee, said the legacies of Lewis and Williams should always be remembered.

“For the fraternity, coming to the Jubilee allows us to reconnect with Sigma leaders John Lewis and Hosea Williams, who led folks across the Edmund Pettus Bridge,” Rey said.

Malwan Johnson, Phi Beta Sigma International Director of Social Action, said that Black History Month was not enough time to honor both Williams and Lewis like the Bridge Crossing Jubilee does every year.

“It’s important for Phi Beta Sigma to commemorate John Lewis and Hosea Williams for help starting the Voting Rights Act,” Johnson said. “It allows us to honor their legacies. Bloody Sunday is the best way to honor their legacies.”