Mar. 15, 1965 | The Selma Story

Mar. 15, 1965 - A Federal judge issued three separate orders today to allow a civil rights demonstration and bring relief to racially torn Selma, Ala.
More than 3,000 persons, led by Dr. Martin Luther King and religious leaders from across the country, marched three abreast to the Dallas County courthouse where they held a brief memorial service for the Rev. James Reeb.
The Federal Community Relations Service, negotiating with civil rights leaders and city officials, worked closely with Judge Daniel Thomas in what amounted to a second face-saving compromise in six days to prevent possible disorder in the Selma racial crisis.
The result was a quiet, orderly procession, the like of which Selma never has seen. It was protected by city police and state troopers.
Sheriff Jim Clark and his posse, long despised and accused of brutality by Negroes, were not in sight.

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