Hindus for Human Rights Joins the 2025 Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee
Honoring the Legacy of Civil Rights and the Ongoing Fight for Justice
Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) Co-Founders Sunita Viswanath and Raju Rajagopal traveled to Selma, Alabama to participate in the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the ongoing fight for voting rights and racial justice in the United States.
The Selma Jubilee is one of the most significant gatherings in the country, honoring the legacy of the brave activists who, in 1965, marched for equal voting rights despite facing brutal violence. The annual event brings together civil rights leaders, faith-based organizations, and activists committed to continuing the struggle for justice.
Hindus for Human Rights first took part in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee in 2022, when we helped organize the virtual commemoration and led the first-ever Indian American delegation to Selma. This multi-faith, multi-caste coalition—including Dalit Solidarity Forum, Indian American Muslim Council, and India Civil Watch International—stood in solidarity with the ongoing fight for racial justice and voting rights.
The weekend began with a strategy meeting at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), where we sat down with Margaret Huang and other civil rights leaders to discuss the urgent challenges of this moment—the rise of an emboldened, multi-racial, multi-faith far-right movement and the ongoing threats to democracy and justice. These conversations set the tone for the weekend, reinforcing the critical need for solidarity and action. As the Jubilee unfolded, we continued to learn from and engage with leaders on the frontlines of the fight for civil rights. The weekend culminated in a powerful moment on Sunday, when we joined marchers in crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, honoring the legacy of those who came before us and recommitting ourselves to the struggle ahead.
Freedom Flame Awards: A Night of Inspiration
On the Saturday night of the Jubilee, Sunita Viswanath and Raju Rajagopal attended the prestigious Freedom Flame Awards, celebrating individuals and organizations dedicated to civil rights. HfHR was deeply honored to be present at this momentous occasion, where Opal Lee, known as the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' was recognized for her lifelong dedication to Black liberation and justice. Honorees included a diverse group of civil rights leaders, activists, and historical figures were honored for their contributions to justice and democracy. C.J. Adams was recognized as the "Father of the Flame" for his early civil rights work with the NAACP in Selma. Medgar and Myrlie Evers received the "Passion of the Flame" award, acknowledging their lifelong fight against racial injustice—Medgar as a civil rights leader tragically assassinated in 1963, and Myrlie as a tireless advocate for justice. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Coretta Scott King were honored as the "20th Century Couple of the Struggle", recognizing their profound impact on the movement for racial and economic justice. Sheyann Webb-Christburg, who as a child marched on Bloody Sunday, was awarded "Igniter of the Flame" alongside Robert 'Bob' Mants Jr. and Jimmie Lee Jackson, whose murder inspired the Selma to Montgomery marches. Other honorees included Elmore Bolling ("Builder of the Flame"), Robin Rue Simmons ("Beauty of the Flame"), Vera Booker ("Healer of the Flame"), and Joy Reid ("Preserver of the Flame"), celebrating their enduring contributions to justice and civil rights.
Interfaith Solidarity and the Enduring Legacy of Justice
Throughout the weekend, Workers Circle stood in strong solidarity, embodying its 125-year legacy of social justice activism. As an organization that participated in the original Selma marches of 1965, their presence was a powerful reminder of the long-standing commitment to civil rights across generations. Hindus for Human Rights was honored to be hosted by Workers Circle as their guests at the Freedom Flame Awards gala, where we joined in celebrating those carrying forward the fight for justice. This shared commitment to equality, democracy, and collective liberation continues to unite movements in the ongoing struggle for voting rights and civil rights.
Rev. Mark Thompson, one of the key organizers of the weekend’s events, embodied the spirit of inclusivity and community, recognizing every civil rights leader, Foot Soldier, and guest who had traveled to Selma. HfHR was especially moved by the warm welcome extended to us, being embraced as part of this historic movement. Rev. Mark last partnered with HfHR during the interfaith vigils and protests that took place at the Columbia University student encampment in support of a ceasefire in Gaza.
In honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s unwavering commitment to and his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam war, and his insistence on linking civil rights in the U.S. to human rights worldwide, Sunita wore a keffiyeh throughout the weekend—a quiet yet powerful statement of solidarity. Throughout the Jubilee, many people went out of their way to express their appreciation for this act of solidarity, recognizing the deep connections between struggles for freedom across the world.
Continuing the Fight for Voting Rights and Justice
The 2025 Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee was a powerful reminder that the struggle for voting rights, racial justice, and democracy is far from over. With voter suppression efforts intensifying, attacks on civil rights protections growing, and hate-fueled ideologies gaining ground, we cannot afford complacency. The legacy of Bloody Sunday is not just history—it is a call to action for all who believe in justice, equality, and human dignity.
For Hindus for Human Rights, participating in the Selma Jubilee is more than an act of remembrance—it is a commitment to active solidarity. We refuse to stand by as the hard-won victories of the Civil Rights Movement are dismantled, as the rights of racial minorities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ communities, students, and pro-Palestine activists come under attack. We refuse to normalize the injustices unfolding before us.
We must fight back. And fighting back means making sacrifices. It means standing up—loudly and unapologetically—against those who seek to erode democracy, suppress voices of dissent, and roll back the progress forged through generations of struggle. The spirit of Selma demands no less.
As we leave this weekend, we carry forward this message: The fight is not over. The responsibility is ours. And the time to act is now.
