March to Freedom
Beginning January 29, 2026,
March to Freedom, an exhibition by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin, presented in partnership with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities will be on view at Irving Archives and Museum.
In 1965, renowned photojournalist James “Spider” Martin was the youngest freelance photographer at the Birmingham News, where he covered everything from Alabama football to country club social events. Witnessing the violent treatment of peaceful protestors had a profound effect on Martin’s career. His images of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, in Selma, Alabama, galvanized public opinion in support of the protesters. Martin joined the historic march from Selma to Montgomery later that month in two capacities: as a member of the media and as a participant in the struggle for racial equality.
Through Martin’s camera and the words of Congressman John Lewis, former head of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), March to Freedom follows a determined group of marchers, both black and white, as they tried on three different occasions to take their cause to the steps of the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery.
On view through March 22, 2026.
Humanities Texas develops and supports diverse programs across the state, including lectures, oral history projects, teacher institutes, museum exhibitions and documentary films. For more information, please visit Humanities Texas online at http://www.humanitiestexas.org or call 512.440.1991.
Alabama state troopers confront the marchers, led by Rev. Hosea Williams and John Lewis. Williams holds his nose in anticipation of tear gas. Photograph by James “Spider” Martin. James “Spider” Martin Photographic Archive (DI09242), The Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. Copyright Tracy Martin.
John Lewis, Hosea Williams, Albert Turner, and Bob Mants lead the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge As John Lewis later recalled, “As we walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge we saw a sea of blue-Alabama state troopers.”. Photograph by James “Spider” Martin. James “Spider” Martin Photographic Archive (DI09206), The Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. Copyright Tracy Martin.
