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<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the march in Selma, Alabama- where hundreds of protestors were beaten and tear gassed by law enforcement. It’s also known as "Bloody Sunday".</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">The protestors were fighting for the right for all Americans to vote. On Saturday, Fresno City Councilmember Oliver Baines joined President Barack Obama in Selma to make that same march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Baines said it was an honor to be exclusively invited by Congressman Jim Costa to go to Selma. Baines called his journey a "Civil Rights pilgrimage".</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Obama said, "We gather here to honor the courage of ordinary Americans willing to endure Billy clubs and the chastening rod, tear gas and the trampling hoof. Men and women who, despite the gush of blood and splintered bone, would stay true to their North star and keep marching towards justice." </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">"It was 50 years ago today in which Americans were attempting to assure their right to vote," said Costa, who was unable to join Baines in Selma. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">"Bloody Sunday" 50-years ago led Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">It was Baines’ second time in Selma. He said, "This was history for me. It was the very first time I was able to see the President speak live. The very first time I was anywhere in his vicinity."</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Baines echoed the same remarks Obama made on Saturday. He said voices are still not heard, because votes are not being cast.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">"We should all be very engaged because voting matters. It matters very much, I mean, I think sometimes people forget how important elections are and what they mean," said Baines.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Baines said the work of the Civil Rights’ leaders is not done, and it’s a part of his job to come back to Fresno and re-install their hopes and dream in us. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">He said, "I am absolutely re-invigorated regarding just making sure that our civic engagement that people are voting in higher percentages."</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Obama is calling on members of Congress to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.</div></div>
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