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23 Preparing for the March There were marches and there were marches, but i do not know if anyone can give an exact number of people who participated, not only in Selma but in many of the small rural towns throughout the black belt. Dr. King did not lead all of the marches, and was in Atlanta during the famed bloody Sunday march. TheideaofamarchfromSelmatoMontgomery,thecapitalof Alabama , came about the night Jimmy Lee Jackson was shot in Marion, february18,1965.Therehadbeensomuchdiscussionaboutthemarch, including whether it should take place at all, especially since there were rumors flying around as to whether Gov. George Wallace and Sheriff Jim Clark and his posse of volunteer white segregationists would permit such a march without some causing serious problems. in addition, Dr. King and those around him were receiving death threats. Along Highway 80, the route the march was planned to take, were stands of trees, swamps, and other areas that would give cover to snipers, especially in Lowndes County, which had an even worse reputation than Dallas County for violence and far fewer registered black voters. The decision was finally made to go forward with a march set for 110 / Chapter 23 March 7, 1965. Hosea in particular felt that the time was right and the people were ready. Dr. King was in Atlanta but was expected to lead the march on Monday, March 8, or Tuesday the ninth, not Sunday as planned. Hosea and James called Ralph Abernathy that Sunday morning telling him it was time to go and that it would be too dangerous for Dr. King because of the many threats. So they decided that Dr. King should stay in Atlanta and preach that Sunday. As i told you earlier Hosea would be given a directive, and if that directive did not suit his thinking he would set about doing things his way as he convinced Dr. King and Reverend Abernathy at the last minute to let him and John Lewis go on the front line. Getting John Lewis to go with him also went a long way toward including SnCC, which would also help the two groups bond. We found out there were meetings taking place all over town. fear began to run rampant, especially in the white community. Word had reached them of the pending march. There was also fear in the black community.Thesamequestionwasaskedinbothcommunities:“What will happen if the march is held?” i always wondered how the white community found out about the march since the decision was only made the morning of the march. How did they find out so quickly? Was the church phone or our home phone bugged? i was not at the church the Sunday of the first march. With the house empty, i took the opportunity to catch up on some household chores such as changing linen, washing towels, and so forth. it was a good thing we had a washer and dryer! Sully and i had received an abundance of sheets and towels when we married so i had no shortage of linen. i was well stocked. While doing the things that needed to be done, a thought came over me: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” i stopped and Preparing for the March / 111 prayed, “Lord, forgive me for my sin of labor on the Sabbath, but you know i have to get this done for they all will be back tomorrow.” i have always tried to keep this commandment in the many years that have followed. Later during the day i asked for forgiveness again for fear he did not hear me the first time! ...

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