Written by: Trish b.
As Montgomery Alabama reminiscent of the 60th anniversary of the historic Selma, Montgomery March, stood at the crossroads of the city’s first black mayor, Steven L Reid, remembrance and renewed responsibility. Mayor Steven L. Reid has emerged as a modern torch -in -Montgomery’s first black mayor, and a leader whose voice is far beyond the boundaries of his city. Since assuming office in 2019, Reed has been a vocal lawyer for racial justice, civil engagement and equity. As a product of a major polling right worker’s son and a product of the complex past of Montgomery, he stands at the crossroads of heritage and leadership, six decades ago to pursue the vision for the first time on the streets of Selma and Montgomery. On the heels of Selma’s powerful 60th anniversary memory for the Montgomery march, the mayor reed moment’s emotional weight, the responsibility of leadership, and the call for action that still reverses all over the nation.
We had a chance to talk to the mayor, and what he had to say here.
Now that the 60th anniversary of Selma from Selma has passed, what feelings or reflections are standing for you personally the most for you?
I was most killed that we are still in the struggle for voting rights in this country. For every benefit we have made, many are now in danger – or worse, rolling back. For me, it was about re-connecting weekend conflict and recommending coalition-building, which is necessary to protect not only voting rights. We cannot just defend the status quo. We need a broad, more inclusive vision – a brown v. The board makes a previous victory like a win, but also addresses the failures we see in the last seven years. This is the feeling that stayed with me: urgency.
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What was the most powerful moment of the weekend for you?
Marching. A 28 -mile journey from St. Jude city to the state capital is a holy ground. Walking with Jerry Levius and Martin Luther King III -whose parents helped lead the movement -was deeply powerful. This reminded me how far we have come and how far we still have to go.
How do you believe that the city of Montgomari showed to honor this historical heritage?
On one hand, the city of Montgomery offered a warm and welcome environment for visitors, residents and workers, who came to honor this anniversary. But I will be clear – we do not get out of those numbers that we should have. Given what is at stake at this moment for democracy, I expected 10,000 people – not 1,000. We cannot bear the expenses of decency. Efforts are underway every day to destroy the rights of voting, and the level of community engagement should match that danger. Participation matters – because people who show size policy, and it affects life here in our city.
What message do you find that this anniversary has been sent to the nation – especially in the climate of today’s political and social division?
This reminds us that the fight for voting rights – and more widely for justice – is far from far away. We should be ready to show the courage that our ancestors did, even when they did not have a black elected officer, no corporate power, no government influence. They stood anyway. So we need.
Did there be any inter -conversations or moments between the elders and young people standing in front of you during the events?
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Absolutely. In the St. Jude Church, we saw the elders who were part of the original voting rights, who march shoulder to shoulder with the youth who take baton with young people. Rape. Chevrin Jones, Showmani figures, and Martin Luther King III were attaching to our youth. Booker t. A senior Washington High School, a young man named Jeremia Tres, introduced Shri King. Personally, talking with his own father-who struggles tirelessly for Alabama and beyond the rights of voting-was one of the moments of the full-cycle. That fight is now mine too.
How do you see Montgomery just to respect this legacy beyond the anniversary and March? Are initiatives related to this history going on?
We should move from symbolism to matter. This means policy. State MLAs should organize a line against efforts to reduce voting access. As the mayor, I will continue using my platform to advocate fair, equitable democracy. Montgomery is not just a background for the history of civil rights – we are the birthplace of civil rights movement. She carries heritage weight, and we should match it with their actions.
What do you feel in preserving and advancing the legacy of civil rights movement, leading such a historically important city as a black mayor?
This is a huge responsibility. I am living in the shadow of trees I did not plant. This means that I have to respect the sacrifices of those who could not vote, very little dream to keep this office. I take their legacy with me every day, and I work to open a broader doors for those who come after me.
What do you hope that visitors and residents got away from the 60th anniversary events – emotional, spiritually or socially?
I hope they left with a clear sense of deep understanding and responsibility of our history. It was more than honoring the past – it was a call for action. The next generation has the role of all of us to ensure that we enjoy freedom we have worked so hard to secure.
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Is there a future plan to make education, community engagement, or investing in youth leadership as a continuation of the spirit of March?
Absolutely. We are already working with organizations such as Southern Youth Development Institute, NAACP Youth Councils, Jacks and Jill, Biradari and Varna to support young leaders. We do not want to teach them only about history – we now want to listen to their worries and ideas. Their innovation and insights are important not only in Montgomery, but in this country, to shape the future of governance.
Finally, if you can say one thing to the foot soldiers and leaders 60 years ago, what will happen?
If I can say one thing to the foot soldiers and leaders who made that original journey 60 years ago, it would be: Thank you. Thanks for marching when dangerous. When hope was critical to believe. To stand up when the system was designed to drop you down. Because of your courage, I can serve in an office that was once unimaginable for those who looked like us. Due to your sacrifice, my children and children in this country have a chance to dream, speak loudly and live independently. I will also tell them: We did not forget. And we will not let your heritage close in memory – we are going to push it forward, with the same belief, the same fire, and the same resolution that was in your heart when you crossed that bridge.
