By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

A Ranger-led examination of some of the iconic

institutions, ideological beliefs and political

antagonists for societal change that helped

define the battle for equal rights will be held

at the Lowndes Interpretive Center in White

Hall at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18.

According to Patricia A. Butts, public

information Officer for the Selma to Montgomery

National Historic Trail, “Along the way, these

entities also became figuratively and literal

martyrs/champions of this epic struggle for

social justice.”

She said, “Our goal is to examine how these

entities both individually and collectively

shaped the conscience of our nation and

provided the moral compass to navigate the

tumultuous Civil Rights Era of the 1950s.”

Butts said this program is free and open to the

public.

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail

was created by an act of Congress in 1996. The

National Park Service operates the Lowndes

County Interpretive Center.

According to the National Park Service, on Aug.

6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed, the

Voting Rights Act of 1965, which extended equal

voting rights for African-Americans.

As both White and Black non-violent supporters

led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for

the right to vote in Central Alabama, today,

you can trace their march toward freedom on the

54-mile trail and connect with their stories at

the Interpretive Centers.

For more information about the Ranger-led

discussion, contact Park Guide Larry Peterson

at (334) 877-1983 or visit www.nps.gov/semo.

From Selma, take U.S. 80 East for approximately

23 miles. The Lowndes Interpretive Center

will be located on the left side of U.S. 80.

From Montgomery take U.S. 80 West toward Selma

for approximately 22 miles. The Lowndes

Interpretive Center will be located on the

right side of U.S. 80. one mile after entering White

Hall.