John Legend’s and Common’s song “Glory” from the film “Selma” won Best Original Song during Sunday’s 87th Academy Awards.

Minutes before their win, the two performed the song in front of a replica of the Edmund Pettus Bridge and photos of Selma, Martin Luther King Jr. and other images from the Civil Rights Movement.

In his acceptance speech, Common referenced performing the song in Selma over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

“Recently John and I got to go to Selma and perform ‘Glory’ on the same bridge that Dr. King and the people of the Civil Rights Movement marched on 50 years ago. This bridge was once a landmark of a divided nation, but now it’s a symbol for change,” Common said, whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. “The spirit of the bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and social status. The spirit of this bridge connects a kid from the south side of Chicago dreaming of a better life to those in France standing up for their freedom of expression to the people near Hong Kong protesting for democracy. This bridge was built on hope, wielded by compassion and elevated by love for all human beings.”

Legend, whose real name is John Stephens, said despite the inspiration for “Glory” coming from events 50 years ago, there is still work to do today.

“We wrote this song for a film based on events that were 50 years ago, but we say Selma now because the struggle for justice is right now. We know that the Voting Rights Act they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised in this country right now,” Legend said. “We know that right now the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850. When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you we are with you, we see you, we love you and march on. God bless you.”