Merkley in Selma

Kari Chisholm

This past weekend, the NAACP kicked off an 860-mile march from Selma, Alabama to Washington, DC.

And in a last-minute unscheduled trip, Senator Jeff Merkley showed up to join the marchers on the first leg of their journey.

From USA Today:

“This is a march to secure many elements of justice that we are lacking in this country,” said U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, who indicated “voter suppression, not voter empowerment” seems to be sweeping America.

It was Merkley’s first visit to Selma and it was apparent he was taken with the famous bridge and what happened on it in March 50 years ago, when activists were routed by Alabama state troopers in what became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

“The foundation of power is the right to vote and who will represent us in Congress,” he said, during an interview prior to speaking on a platform set up for activist leaders.

There's more on his official Facebook page.

By Kari Chisholm Aug. 04, 2015