By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal

The night Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot was relived, as Zion United Methodist Church in Marion held a commemorative march and program Sunday in honor of the voting rights martyr.

Jackson was celebrated at the church where it all began.

Around 200-300 individuals filled Zion United Methodist Church for the service, and they walked about two blocks to the old Perry County Jail, while holding candles in a reenactment of the march from the night Jackson was shot.

“The march was never finished in Marion, from what I understand,” said Zion United Methodist pastor Dana Wallace. “They marched from the church to the old jail to complete the reenactment of the march. The entire congregation and dignitaries in attendance marched to commemorate Jimmie Lee Jackson.”

On March 18, 1965, Jackson was among the hundreds of protestors who gathered at Zion United Methodist Church to march to the Perry County Jail, where civil rights worker James Orange was being held.

The marchers were confronted by law enforcement armed with billy clubs before they could make it to the jail.

Jackson and others ran through the doors of Mack’s Café, where he and his family sought refuge. In an effort to protect his mother and grandfather, Lee was shot by an officer.

Zion United Methodist’s layman Richard Smith participated in the recreation of the march.

In fact, Smith was in Marion the day Jackson was shot. On that date, he participated in the night march.

“That particular night the troopers and other people began beating the black people,” he said.

“Jimmie Lee was trying to get his grandfather out because they had run them into the little restaurant from the church. They ended up shooting him. He didn’t have any weapons, or any means of threatening. He was just shot in a crowd.”