Obama: Selma Symbolizes America Just Like Concord, Lexington, and Concord

BARACK OBAMA: "As John noted, there are places and moments in America and this nation's destiny has been decided. Many are sights of war. Concord and Lexington, Gettysburg. Others are sights that symbolize the daring of America's character. Independence Hall and Seneca falls, kitty hawk and cape canaveral. Selma is such a place. So much our turbulent history. The anguish of civil war. The yoke of segregation and tyranny of Jim Crowe. The death of four little girls in Birmingham. And the dream of a Baptist preacher. All that history met on this bridge. It was not a clash of armies, but a clash of wills. A contest to determine the true meaning of America. And because of men and women like John Lewis, Joseph Lowery, Jose Williams, Amelia Bunten, Diane Nash, Ralph Abernathy, C.T. Vivian, Andrew Young, Fred Shuttlesworth, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., so many others, the idea of a just America and a fair America, an inclusive America and a generous America. That idea ultimately triumphed."