>Directions
>Registration Form
>Return to March Info
>Flyer
>Speaker List
>Teach In Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Symbolic March Reenactment?
Who should participate?
Why is it important that I get involved?
How can I get involved?
How long is the march and what must I do to prepare?
How do I get to the march?
Is it safe?
How do I register?
Who is supporting this march?
How do I organize a group of friends to come?
Where can I learn more about Voting Rights and the Civil Rights movement?
What is the Symbolic March Reenactment?
In March 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to protest voting restrictions for blacks. Five months later, Congress passed the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 enforcing the right granted to all Americans by the 15th Amendment to the Constitution.
In April of 1965, Dr. King led marchers on a five-mile walk from Roxbury to a rally at Boston Common to protest de facto school segregation in Boston. In June, 1965, the state legislature passed The Racial Imbalance Act outlawing "racially imbalanced" schools.
We hope to continue the fight for civil rights and inform more people of the importance of political engagement by walking from Roxbury to Boston Common on October 30th.
(Learn more about the voting rights act of 1965 and your rights as a voter at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/intro/intro_b.htm)
Who should participate?
All citizens and non-citizens who are involved or concerned (or want to learn!) about the right to vote in the United States, every person who wants to honor the legacy of Dr. King, those who wish to make a statement about democracy in this country – YOU!
Why is it important that I get involved?
The United States Constitution gives all citizens the right to vote. Current issues around voting include giving citizens with limited English translated materials in time for them to make an informed decision or insuring the legitimacy of all votes made with new technology. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is up for reauthorization in 2007. The importance of seeing that all people are included in our voting system has never been more important – or timely.
How can I get involved?
- Go to a teach-in. Click here for a schedule to learn about the march and the voting rights act.
- Get your friends, family, church members, school or other organization involved and contact Rose Arruda at rosey7posey@yahoo.com or
leave message for Rose at (617) 445-3700.
- Volunteers are needed for jobs from making phone calls in advance to directing traffic to clean-up. Contact Rose Arruda at Rosey7posey@yahoo.com if you’d like to recruit a team and volunteer!
- Donate your money to the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities and please write “Retracing the Struggle” on your check in the notes line.
How long is the march and what must I do to prepare?
The route will be about 2.5 miles long. Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. The march will be held RAIN OR SHINE.
How do I get to the march?
The march will start at the First Church of Roxbury, 20 Putnam Street. We strongly encourage you to take the Silver Line to the corner of Putnam and Malcolm X Blvd and we will direct you to the church, about one block away. For more information about T schedules, visit www.mbta.com.
Limited parking is available. Please click here for driving directions. Please remember that if you drive to First Church, the march will not be returning to this location. You will be responsible for finding your way back to pick up your car.
You can charter a bus to take you to the church and pick you up at Boston Common. Please make your arrangements and leave a message for Rose at
617-445-3700 to give your expected arrival and departure times. Many buses are expected and we want to stagger these times to ensure the fewest delays.
Is it safe?
Yes! There will be plenty of volunteers to help you along the route and police and other emergency personnel are available at a moment’s notice.
How do I register?
Click here and sign up today! We urge people to register before the day of the march, so we can best prepare for the expected number, but everyone is welcome, even if they haven’t registered in advance. You can also print off the registration form at the web site and pass it in at First Church or Boston Common.
Who is supporting this march?
Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, Boston College, Boston Fair Housing Center,Citywide Dialogues on Boston’s Racial and Ethnic Diversity,
Dunk the Vote, Facing History and Ourselves, Civil Rights Project at Harvard University, Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, Black Ministerial Alliance, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Boston, City Year, NAACP, New Democracy Coalition, Project HIP-HOP, Anti-Defamation League, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Freedom House. (Click here for the latest list of sponsors)
How do I organize a group of friends to come?
- First, tell them how important you think it is to come to the march and why you want to go.
- Collect information at the web sites listed on this information sheet and use it to inform and encourage your group to take action.
- Make it a social event. Meet in advance at your church or other location and travel together to the First Church of Roxbury. Bring snacks to share. Wear matching t-shirts!
- Don’t forget to bring your cell phones along in case one of you gets separated from others.
Where can I learn more about Voting Rights and the Civil Rights movement?
Come to a teach-in (click here for a schedule (coming soon) to learn about the march and the voting rights act)
Get information about the Selma march from the National Park dedicated to it’s memory.
Some general civil rights history in addition to information about the Selma march and Bloody Sunday.
Learn about Rev. Reeb.
Learn about Congressman John Lewis
Learn more about the voting rights act of 1965 and your rights as a voter.
Or visit your local public library and search for topics such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Selma March, Bloody Sunday, John Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.
