Key Principles and connection points:
1. Connecting the past to the present
2. Historical relevance and connection.
3. The March from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, led by John Lewis, was 54 miles. The March included three events
between March 7-March 25, 1965.
a. March 7th- Bloody Sunday
b. March 9th-Turnback Tuesday
c. March 21-25 was the actual Selma to Montgomery March–Ending with 25,000 people meeting in Montgomery on the steps of the capital of Alabama.
4. John Lewis New York Times article-“Together you can redeem the soul of this nation”
5. US Constitution
6. Civil Rights key laws and history
Goals:
Subtitle
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▪ Create a movement that will inspire and educate communities and will drive social/racial equity, improved humanity, and greater civic engagement.
▪ Increase voter registration in the communities in which we live and work.
▪ Increase resilience, perspective and purpose for the work ahead for our Democracy
▪ Increase voter participation
▪ Improve base understanding of our US Constitution, which is the law of the land
▪ To have 2.5 million participants which is 100 times more than the Selma to Montgomery March
▪ Increased participation in the Census of 2020
The route from Selma to Montgomery
Inspiration for “The Power of 54”
March 7th – Bloody Sunday
March 9th – Turnback Tuesday
March 21-25th – March from Selma to Montgomery:
The Selma to Montgomery marches were three protest marches, held in 1965, along the 54-mile highway from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, Alabama. 25,000 people met on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol Building to protest voting rights discrimination.
Distance between Selma to Montgomery = 54 miles
Current State
Civil Unrest
Social Disparities & Social Determinants of Health Impact
Educational Impact
Economic Impact
54 Days
Mind
Over the course of the 54 Days, read and study the entire United States Constitution, to include the Preamble, the Bill of Rights and the Amendments with connection to:
- The Civil Rights laws of the 1950s/1960s and beyond.
- Share this website with others about all the details associated with the most important process of our democracy and voting: https://866ourvote.org/
Body
(Walk or Ride Your Bike)
Walk or Ride: 54 miles between 9/4/2020 -9/7/2020 (Labor Day Weekend), and annually thereafter.
Alternatively – Walk 1 mile per day for 54 days. The date window is from 9/9/2020-11/3/2020 (54 days). Following Labor Day Weekend up to Election Day.
- This is not a centralized, organized walk, but for each individual who desires to walk, or ride, on their own.
- Leverage Social Media to spread the word with a goal of 2.5 million committed participants. (100 times more than the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965, which included 25,000 people).
- Leverage Social Media to share each individual’s experience of the 54-mile journey, in the context of Civil Rights
Soul
To have places of worship come together, virtually, for 54 hours of prayer across the country over the Labor Day weekend.
- Prayer focus: Humanity, Civil Rights, Social Justice, Life Long Health, and our Democracy.
- For all places of worship to pray 1 hour/day from 9/9/2020-11/3/2020 (54 days).
Overarching Goals
Increase number of registered voters and participation in the census
Increase individual perspective and purpose for the work ahead for our Democracy in the context of Humanity and Civil Rights
To Affirm, Enhance, and Inspire Resilience for the Mind, Body and Soul
Increase Voter participation.
Increase base understanding of our US Constitution, which is the Law of the land, and how it impacts our Humanity.
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at cnharper@comcast.net