We were excited to hear news that “Selma,” the movie, will be shown for free at the Walton Theater next week.

Show times and more information are expected to be finalized by Monday for the movie.

Paramount Pictures made the announcement on New Year’s Day, and it’s one we applaud the company for because it’s the right thing to do.

The people of Selma are more invested in the movie than anyone nationwide because many of the events portrayed took place on the soil we walk on every day.

To the nation, the places depicted will be faraway, distant buildings and architecture that will fade from memory in the weeks after seeing the film.

For those of us in Selma, the people aren’t just actors.

They are portraying real people — whether it be current or former family members, friends or other leaders that helped blaze a trail of change through the world. The buildings and the Edmund Pettus Bridge are places we drive over or pass by every day during our daily routine.

The movie simply just means more to Selma, as it should. That’s why it’s so important that it’s going to be shown in Selma.