Selma (2014) Edit

A cheer went up from the white spectators

A citadel, defended by fanatics.

A comprehensive plan is already in place.

A few of our top SCLC leaders are with us this time

A few of our top SCLC leaders are with us this time

A lie whispering to them

A lie whispering to them

A lot of groundwork has already been laid by the people here.

A lot of work has been done here,

A man stands up, only to be struck down.

A perfect stage.

A perfect stage.

A priest, from Boston.

A special bulletin from CBS News.

A violent situation on both sides.

A violent situation on both sides.

ABERNATHY: Don't do it, Doc. Don't do it...

ABERNATHY: This place is perfect.

ABERNATHY: You put your foot in it now.

Across vast oceans.

Act like you're... Act like you're reading your menu. Okay?

Act like you're... Act like you're reading your menu. Okay?

Actually changed?

Against Wallace's orders this morning.

Ain't you supposed to be on a diet?

All of those, like Jimmie Lee Jackson,

All right.

All right.

All right. Well, this is fine with me.

All right. Well, this is fine with me.

All right. Who got it?

All the hours wondering after your safety,

All the more reason to act now.

All this nonsense. This ain't what SNCC is about.

All this nonsense. This ain't what SNCC is about.

All white because you can't serve on a jury

ALL: Daylight come and me wan' go home

ALL: Yeah!

ALL: Yeah!

Alongside a lot of freedom loving people who worked hard to get us here.

Always good.

Always good.

An evil, abnormal beast.

And a big part of that

And a disdain for hopelessness.

And a liability to all nigras.

And a liability to all nigras.

And all he controls in Selma is the County Courthouse.

And all you have sacrificed for this struggle.

And announce that you've decided to let the blacks vote undeterred,

And at night.

And by being on the TV news every night.

And can't send troops to Selma, Alabama.

And demonstrate and march

And determine their own destiny as human beings.

And for the 20 million n**** men and women

And for what we believe.

And get yourself dead.

And give an actual speech to these nigras

And he was brave enough to follow that answer,

And how many of us you think they gonna kill in retaliation?

And I can't risk another march with people getting killed

And I couldn't just stand by when Dr. King put out that call to clergy.

And I don't have to draft bills or force the issue.

And I don't intend to see it undone tonight.

And I have done this to myself, to us.

And I have done this to myself, to us.

And I hope you hear me.

And I know that matters to you, doesn't it?

And I want him to go on leading the civil rights movement,

And I want you to go on leading it. No one else.

And I was feeling down, but you got up there.

And I was feeling down, but you got up there.

And I, for one, don't fault him for it.

And I'll pay all the bills for us,

And I'll pay all the bills for us,

And I'm about to stand in its warmth

And I'm about to stand in its warmth

And I'm gonna tell him

And I'm truly sorry it's happened.

And I'm truly sorry it's happened.

And if our President won't protect our rights,

And if our President won't protect our rights,

And if our President won't protect our rights,

And if they want to march, then I'm marching with them.

And illegal denial of blacks seeking to vote.

And in particular the consciousness

And it's not the one we want.

And it's not the one we want.

And it's on your watch.

And it's the way the people want it to stay.

And it's the way the people want it to stay.

And many other people around the world share.

And n**** leader John Lewis,

And never see them again.

And never see them again.

And nothing's gonna change the fact that

And nothing's gonna change the fact that

And now you're mad because it didn't go the way you planned?

And on our best days, our adversary helps the matter by making a mistake.

And on the rare occasions that they face trial,

And out of the voting booths

And perhaps 100 white spectators.

And pictures of nigras getting beat in the street

And pictures of nigras getting beat in the street

And please consider nixing the speech at the Capitol.

And please consider nixing the speech at the Capitol.

And said the same thing I often say

And segregation was everywhere.

And Sheriff Clark and urge them against violence

And since we don't fight...

And stays silent before his white congregation.

And stays silent before his white congregation.

And that is exactly what I intend to do.

And that is exactly what I intend to do.

And that one effort is for our life.

And that requires

And the destiny of democracy.

And the people elected me on that pledge,

And the people of Selma chose him,

And the state of Alabama.

And the way they're treated in your state.

And the way they're treated in your state.

And the whites on the sidelines whooped and cheered.

And they carried an assortment of packs, bed rolls and lunch sacks.

And they just kept beating on him and beating on him.

And they ready.

And they speak to us still.

And this black voting business won't abide.

And this whole mess will go away.

And to do so without a hearing,

And walked six blocks to cross Pettus Bridge and the Alabama River.

And walked six blocks to cross Pettus Bridge and the Alabama River.

And waltz into the White House with a list of empty demands.

And we ain't gonna let nobody turn us around.

And we embrace this new energy so boldly,

And we shall do this.

And we want Federal protocol eliminating

And we want robust enforcement of that protocol.

And we're gonna wait right here.

And what they'll do to you and how they'll do it.

And when I heard just yesterday

And when I heard just yesterday

And when the poor white man's children

And when we do the real deal, the finale,

And when we do the real deal, the finale,

And who of you by being worried

And with all those other trinkets you've been collecting lately,

And with all those other trinkets you've been collecting lately,

And yes, I have been piercing in my critiques of non violence.

And yet less than 2% of n****es here being able to vote

And yet less than 2% of n****es here being able to vote

And yet your Heavenly Father doth feed them.

And you are the man

And you are the man

And you can join in on the second day.

And you know damn well there is!

And you know what else you said?

And you know what else you said?

And you know what the next battle should be?

And you sound enamored.

And you tell King he best not march, you hear me?

And you tell King he best not march, you hear me?

And you threw it away.

And you threw it away.

And you're passing through all those tall buildings and whatnot,

And you've got to have someone who is registered to vouch for you.

And you've got to have someone who is registered to vouch for you.

Andy. It's Bayard. Everybody there?

Andy. It's Bayard. Everybody there?

Angry. They went back to that bridge because they were hot about Sunday.

ANNOUNCER ON TV: We interrupt this program to bring you

ANNOUNCER: (ON TV) ...to our regularly scheduled program.

Another civil war?

Another civil war?

Are we not done with this?

Are we not done with this?

Are you listening to yourself?

Are you not worth much more than they?

Are you trying to fuck over your President?

Are you trying to fuck over your President?

Are you trying to shit me, George Wallace?

Arms and legs flying,

Aroused by Sunday's brutal acts

As good a place to die as any, I guess.

As good a place to die as any, I guess.

As has been the standard for generations now.

As long as I am unable to exercise my constitutional right to vote,

As long as I am unable to exercise my constitutional right to vote,

As their brothers and sisters are humiliated,

As their brothers and sisters are humiliated,

As they crowded together for protection,

At a time when I need you,

At a time when I need you,

At the Washington March.

At this late hour,

Attempting to orchestrate a disturbance in this state.

AUDIENCE: No more! No more!

Bayard says that Harry says he can get Nina Simone,

Beaten and broken down for generations.

Beaten and broken down for generations.

Because all them nice, respectable white folks

Because all them nice, respectable white folks

Because I am not a fool.

Because no lie can live forever.

Because of the fog of death constantly hanging over.

Because there have been thousands

Because they are protected by white officials

Before they can register.

Behind the troopers were dozens of possemen,

Behind the troopers were dozens of possemen,

Believe in working in the community long term.

Between Selma and Montgomery.

Black voters are kept off the rolls

Black voters are kept off the rolls

Boycotting the buses in Montgomery.

Boycotting the buses in Montgomery.

Brutalized, and ripped from this earth!

Brutalized, and ripped from this earth!

But as long as there is light ahead for them,

But because we don't agree, Mrs. King, does not mean that I'm the enemy.

But before the cloud hid it all,

But before the cloud hid it all,

But how many other fingers were on that trigger?

But I am sick and tired

But I can tell you one thing for certain.

But I can tell you one thing for certain.

But I don't think of it that way.

But I studied it. I know how she do it.

But I'll not be focusing on what I want today.

But I'll not be focusing on what I want today.

But if he's a degenerate, what I do know is,

But if we are really and truly for the people,

But if you're n****, the only way you can vote

But it wasn't aimed at you.

But it wasn't aimed at you.

But it's not going to happen at all without a proper proceeding.

But it's not going to happen at all without a proper proceeding.

But let's root this discussion in what we know.

But once we add the final day's march through Montgomery,

But only one of us walks to start.

But only one of us walks to start.

But she said that was too grown.

But somebody got to get Jim Clark under control.

But their sheriff, Laurie Pritchett,

But their sheriff, Laurie Pritchett,

But they will remember the standoff in Selma

But this administration is going to set this aside for a while.

But this close to the new Nobel laureate

But today, Jimmie,

But we know the truth.

But we know the truth.

But we must march.

But we're going to be strong if we stick together.

But what I have never gotten used to

But what we do

But when you have people come inside the White House?

But with our commitment,

But your local sheriff here? He doesn't know that.

But, we both know in the South

But, we both know in the South

But... Most of the South is still not desegregating.

But... Most of the South is still not desegregating.

By any means necessary madness with these people.

By people who would rather see me suffer than succeed.

By systematic intimidation and fear, Mr. President.

By the greatest landslide in history four months ago.

Called me a modern day Uncle Tom.

Can add a single hour to his life?

Can add a single hour to his life?

Can send troops to Vietnam

Can we get a statement, please?

Can't even read the menu

Can't or won't?

Carried people to the jail wagons on stretchers.

Chosen by an all white electorate.

Citizens under attack.

CLARK: Come on.

CLARK: Come on.

CLARK: Oh, what do we got here?

CLARK: Oh, what do we got here?

CLARK: Then he needs to learn.

CLARK: What'd you think, boy? What'd you think?

CLARK: Y'all deliberately causing an obstruction!

College town.

Come back in another two years and see how much further you got!

Come on now. We don't got money for that.

Come on, Diane. Now, you know that's not what I meant by that, all right?

Come on, Diane. Now, you know that's not what I meant by that, all right?

Come visiting and they said,

CORETTA: What's that?

CORETTA: When are you all heading out?

Coretta.

Corrie.

Corrie.

Could assure you that the administration would endorse a later march

Could be seen through the gas,

Could she make my hair like Coretta Scott King had hers

Coverage becomes challenging.

Dead.

Decent looking place to die though.

Deciding to demand more?

Demonstrations of protest and progress,

Deranged and twisted and just ignorant enough to be serious.

Deranged and twisted and just ignorant enough to be serious.

Designed to eliminate these illegal barriers.

Despite injury from a possible skull fracture,

Despite pressures and tortures unimaginable.

Despite pressures and tortures unimaginable.

Despite the pain, despite the tears,

Dick Gregory, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary in.

Digging for things that simply are not there, Lee?

Dismantle the family.

Dismantling your own legacy with each passing day.

Do that, and then Selma's over.

Do you know what he has said about us in the past, Coretta?

Do you know what this means?

Do you love any of the others?

Do you love any of the others?

Do you love me?

Do you want him here, or do you not want him here?

Do you want him here, or do you not want him here?

Doc,

Doc, we gotta start with banning these laws that

Doc? This here is it. Selma's the place.

Doing the good work to raise black consciousness.

Don't be surprised if they don't give us grief tomorrow.

Don't fight back. It's a non violent movement.

Don't make me out to be the bad guy here, John.

Don't you want to protect yourself, Doctor?

Don't you want to protect yourself, Doctor?

Dr. King is in position to lead tomorrow's march, Judge.

Dr. King, are you truly non violent if you are provoking violence, sir?

Dr. King! Morning, Doctor.

Dr. King. Roy Reed of The New York Times.

Drama.

Dressed like this while folks back home are... (SIGHS)

Dressed like this while folks back home are... (SIGHS)

Driving in on the final leg.

Either King stops and Wallace stops,

Election year is coming up

Embody it so fervently,

Enjoining the state authorities from interfering with the next march.

Enjoining the state authorities from interfering with the next march.

Enough of this now.

Ensure domestic tranquility,

Ensure domestic tranquility,

Equality in the black psyche. Look at these men.

Equality in the black psyche. Look at these men.

Especially the mortgage for our very own house.

Especially the mortgage for our very own house.

Establish justice,

Ever perpetrated against humanity

Every march pulls 'em. Especially when people are getting beat up in the streets.

Every march pulls 'em. Especially when people are getting beat up in the streets.

Every n**** man and woman

Every n**** man and woman

Every white politician

Every white preacher who preaches the Bible

Every white preacher who preaches the Bible

Exactly.

Eyes on the prize, Martin.

Fear not.

Fear not.

Federal, state and local.

Fewer cameras.

Fewer cameras.

First, it's gonna do more for him. Now, it's why he ain't here?

First, it's gonna do more for him. Now, it's why he ain't here?

First, it's the front seat of the bus.

Flailing at the heads of the marchers.

For a vital purpose.

For better or worse.

For more than 50% of Selma to be n****

For more than 50% of Selma to be n****

For our lives.

For their right to vote and to self determine.

For this march, you're on your own with De Lawd and his disciples.

For truth crushed to earth will rise again.

For we all bear a responsibility for our fellow man.

FORMAN: Well, why ain't he here, then, man?

From all directions, they came.

From slavery to the Reconstruction

From slavery to the Reconstruction

George and Herbert Lee, Lamar Smith.

George, why are you doing this?

George, you seen all those demonstrators

GERRY: I can't walk!

Get me J. Edgar Hoover.

Get on up now. I ain't got all day.

Get out of the way! Get out of the way!

Get someone killed and march on the State Capitol!

Get that ****** woman!

Get the hell out of the way!

Get you there in a couple of hours.

Get your hands off of me!

GIRL 2: Yeah, but the biggest thing is getting your hair wet up.

GIRL 3: See, I asked my mama

Give 'em two minutes. Stand right there.

Give King the march to Montgomery.

Give us the vote!

Give us the vote!

Gives way to the light of righteousness.

Glory! Hallelujah!

Go home or go to your church.

Go home or go to your church.

Go to the bottom of the river, black boy.

Go to the bottom of the river, black boy.

Goals long since forgotten by progressives and liberals

Goals long since forgotten by progressives and liberals

God is guiding you.

God was the first to cry.

Going to some bleeding heart fundraiser in California.

Going to some bleeding heart fundraiser in California.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Good day, gentlemen.

Good morning, Mr. President.

Good night.

Good night.

Good people in those parts though.

Good people in those parts though.

Good to know.

Good to see you, Father. Good to see you.

Good,

Governor...

Granting n****es the right to vote unencumbered.

GRAY: Judge Johnson, Dr. King's call to action

GRAY: Judge Johnson, Dr. King's call to action

Had been shot and killed,

Has been approved accordingly.

Has been the one that has moved the needle.

Has ever been convicted.

Have caused a rift between y'all.

He a Army man.

He born in '38.

He called us ignorant n**** preachers.

He called, we came, and he didn't fulfill his own call.

He called, we came, and he didn't fulfill his own call.

He chooses not to.

He coordinates all the SCLC branches.

He feeds them that same vicious lie.

He feeds them that same vicious lie.

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword.

He is trampling out the vintage where the g****s of wrath are stored.

He kneeled down, prayed to God and got an answer.

He never made a mistake.

He said, I don't see how President Johnson

He said, I don't see how President Johnson

He say, Pa, you gonna vote before you done.

He spoke with some of the words he's used before,

He tell me.

He tugs on their goddamn white liberal conscience.

He wants something so he can say,

He wants the law changed, now.

He was the first to cry for your boy.

He's Bull Connor.

He's on his way here, right?

He's on his way here, right?

Hell, you got 2,000 people marching up in Harlem.

Hell, you got 2,000 people marching up in Harlem.

Hello, sister. Good to see you this afternoon.

Hello?

Hello.

Hello.

Help me.

Help me.

Help me.

Help me.

Help me.

Help!

Hey, hey, hey, what you need guns for?

Hi, I'm Viola. Welcome to Selma.

High level?

His truth is marching on.

His truth is marching on.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Holy shit.

Holy shit.

Honestly, I don't give a rat's ass about that man. That's your hero.

Honestly, I don't give a rat's ass about that man. That's your hero.

How could you allow it?

How does it help a black man to be able to eat at a lunch counter

How many guns you think they got down there?

How many years have I had to listen to this?

How many years have I had to listen to this?

How they're going to kill my children.

Hurt? How?

Hurt? How?

I accept this honor for

I accept this honor for

I admire you. I do.

I ain't talking what's right by God.

I am a preacher from Atlanta.

I am appealing to men and women of God

I am appealing to men and women of God

I am talking facts. Cold, hard facts!

I am tired

I am tired

I am weak

I am weak

I am worn

I believe this compromise might be agreeable.

I believe this compromise might be agreeable.

I came here hoping to talk to you about people.

I can only imagine.

I can't do that this year. I won't! I told you.

I can't go on like this.

I can't go on like this.

I can't see life sometimes

I can't tell you how much we admire that.

I can't tell you how much we admire that.

I can't, Mr. President.

I cannot call you.

I cannot determine my own destiny for it is determined for me

I could barely hold my head up, but I needed to be there.

I could barely hold my head up, but I needed to be there.

I didn't mean that.

I didn't mean that.

I do not have command of my own life.

I do not have command of my own life.

I do. I understand that.

I don't have any legal power over the county registrars, Mr. President.

I don't have that power.

I don't joke about that.

I don't joke about that.

I don't know if I've got enough to feed you.

I don't know what it was.

I don't know what it was.

I don't know, Mr. President.

I don't right care what they think,

I don't right care what they think,

I don't think we remember it the same way.

I don't want any of this.

I don't want to challenge Judge Johnson.

I don't want to get back on Monday and find all our leadership in jail.

I don't want to go against the President.

I don't want to see this go wrong for you.

I don't want to see this go wrong for you.

I feel damn fortunate

I feel tits high to a puppy dog.

I felt if I had not led the march,

I get it. I understand that.

I got my hair pressed that same morning

I have gotten used to it,

I have myself and the truth.

I have no army behind me anymore.

I have to be home right now.

I haven't the time for this. None of us got the time for this.

I hear that. But the poll taxes got to be our focus first.

I heard about the attack of innocent people

I heard about the attack of innocent people

I heard he was assaulted in Selma.

I heard he was assaulted in Selma.

I heard she don't even put rollers in it. It's just like that.

I just think it'd be a mistake to hold people back

I know that. That's the law.

I know that. That's the law.

I know there's been trouble with the group,

I know there's been trouble with the group,

I know what you sound like.

I know.

I may not be with them for all the sunny days to come,

I mean, actually musters up the courage to go in that courthouse,

I mean, bats, bricks,

I mean, he was... Was an Army man.

I mean, he was... Was an Army man.

I mean, how does that happen, Colonel Lingo?

I mean, what's not clear about that?

I must've passed out on the asphalt somewhere.

I must've passed out on the asphalt somewhere.

I need a phone!

I need to hear the Lord's voice.

I need to put the march back a day.

I need to put the march back a day.

I only wish that Jimmie Lee Jackson's family

I pledged to stand up forAlabama when I campaigned

I pray for discernment and guidance as we journey on.

I pray for discernment and guidance as we journey on.

I pray, too, that I can justify the faith you once had in me.

I prefer to be prepared.

I promise you!

I promise you!

I remember this little girl just clawing her nails

I remember this little girl just clawing her nails

I remember...

I said keep it clear!

I say to you today, my brothers and sisters,

I see.

I should have worn a swim cap like Mama said.

I speak tonight for the dignity of man

I thank you for standing up.

I thank you for standing up.

I think that's what happened to Dr. King up there on the bridge today.

I thought he would, but our efforts are not working,

I turned to my wife Coretta

I understand, Mr. President.

I want to do this kind of thing whenever possible.

I want to do this kind of thing whenever possible.

I want to live long and be happy.

I want to live long and be happy.

I wanted to tell you that the students are in town.

I wanted to tell you that the students are in town.

I warned Johnson that we were going to the Capitol.

I will not oppose Wallace against protocol.

I will not oppose Wallace against protocol.

I will now hear testimony from the plaintiffs. Mr. Gray.

I will now hear testimony from the plaintiffs. Mr. Gray.

I wish I had more time to prepare is all.

I wish I had more time to prepare is all.

I wonder how many must we lose.

I, too, often feel that heavy fog you spoke of, Corrie.

I'd keep him off the frontlines.

I'd keep him off the frontlines.

I'd rather people be upset and hate me

I'd rather people be upset and hate me

I'll tell you what I know to be true.

I'll tell you what I know to be true.

I'll tell you, ending segregation,

I'll, uh... put these things away in your bag now.

I'll, uh... put these things away in your bag now.

I'm about to tell you right now.

I'm calling it The War on Poverty.

I'm glad.

I'm gonna act now.

I'm gonna be a pastor somewhere small.

I'm gonna be a pastor somewhere small.

I'm here on the President's order to try and make this work.

I'm here to speak specifically about the denial

I'm just asking you to allow us to help you do that.

I'm just here trying to register to vote.

I'm just telling you how it was.

I'm just telling you how it was.

I'm learning about this just like you. We didn't do this.

I'm learning about this just like you. We didn't do this.

I'm no different than anybody else.

I'm not! You're the one playing me small.

I'm so glad we're here together today.

I'm so sorry.

I'm telling you, if he were my guy,

I'm telling you, if he were my guy,

I'm trying very hard, Judge.

I'm trying very hard, Judge.

I'm very aware of that, Mr. Director.

I'm well, sir. Thank you for asking.

I'm worried about the ones who ain't so good.

I'm worried about the ones who ain't so good.

I've got Congress calling me by the dozens.

I've got picketing that gets bigger and bigger every day.

I've got picketing that gets bigger and bigger every day.

I've gotten used to a lot.

I've known that feeling.

If a n**** tries to register,

If a n**** tries to register,

If he doesn't earn enough to buy the burger?

If I ask you something,

If it don't feel right, we don't do it. That's my point.

If the Lord Jesus and Elvis Presley

If tomorrow is called off?

If tomorrow is called off?

If we're not willing to die for those we love

If you believe all are created equal, come to Selma.

If you believe all are created equal, come to Selma.

If you think of it that way, it's a hard road.

If you think of it that way, it's a hard road.

If you want fear,

If you want my support on this voting thing,

If you'd like.

If you're sure about it.

In 1985, what do you want looking back?

In an estimated five day march from Selma to Montgomery

In an official capacity inside the White House,

In an official capacity inside the White House,

In control of what?

In dark corners and halls of power.

In favor of what they call a changing world.

In favor of what they call a changing world.

In order to form a more perfect union,

In order to form a more perfect union,

In Selma, we can concentrate our actions on one building.

In the Army a spell.

In the courthouse sits the heart of the matter,

In the cradle of the Confederacy

In the matter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

In this case, the wrongs are enormous.

Including those four girls.

Inside the White House! On a tour?

Inside the White House! On a tour?

Instead of allowing each race to flourish from its separate racial station

Instead of the other way around. For once!

Instead of trying to persuade us

Instead of trying to persuade us

Into the side of my friend Jessie's face

Into the tangible tactics that it takes to dismantle it.

Is by being on the front page of the national press every morning

Is every spook militant in existence gonna pay us a visit?

Is he Laurie Pritchett?

Is he Laurie Pritchett?

Is if an approved registered voter vouches for you.

Is Jimmie Lee's mother here, Mr. Lee?

Is negotiate,

Is raising white consciousness.

Is raising white consciousness.

Is sickening the balance of the Southland.

Is that issue.

Is that the incidents that occurred cannot be disputed.

Is that the number one issue?

Is the death.

Is the highest ranking federal official in Selma,

Is your daughter...

It belongs to the county registrars.

It cannot wait, sir.

It gives anybody who wants to do them any harm

It had more to do with helping us.

It had more to do with helping us.

It helps me in times when I'm feeling unsure.

It helps me in times when I'm feeling unsure.

It is not conducive to traffic flow on Route 80.

It just takes the edge off.

It just takes the edge off.

It probably is.

It seems basic to our constitutional principles

It seems basic to our constitutional principles

It turned out to be an ideal staging ground.

It was Martin's call. It's done.

It was Martin's call. It's done.

It was...

It wasn't like that this time, Martin. I'm telling you...

It...

It'll sort out.

It'll sort out.

It's a matter of political priorities.

It's all right this time.

It's all right, Mama. It's gonna be cool.

It's all right.

It's all right.

It's an ascot.

It's become like a thick fog to me.

It's been voted on and decided.

It's gonna be all right. Okay?

It's gonna be open season.

It's gonna do more for King and the SCLC than for Selma.

It's gonna do more for King and the SCLC than for Selma.

It's good grassroots work.

It's nice being away, huh?

It's not a crime to be away for a few days, Martin.

It's not right, or you don't like it?

It's not right.

It's not right.