Documentaries

“The Way to Freedom” is the story of courageous ordinary citizens—many of them teenagers—who successfully challenged racism, bigotry, and entrenched power in Selma, Alabama in the 1960s to gain the right to vote. Narrated by “unsung heroes” of the voting rights movement in Selma and Marion, Alabama, the film chronicles how these individuals risked their lives and livelihoods to organize, march, speak out, and stand up for justice. Their persistence captured the attention of the nation and ultimately led to the groundbreaking Voting Rights Act of 1965, bringing the nation one step closer to its promise of equal rights and a government of, by, and for the people.

Produced by the National Park Service, 2020.
Harpers Ferry Center NPS.

For the audio described version of this film, visit youtu.be/EmXGVhQkBnc

To learn more about Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, visit nps.gov/semo/index.htm

Henry Allen, Mattie Atkins, Annie Pearl Avery, Ella Bell, Vera Booker, Richard Bryant, Kirk Carrington, Morris Dees, Thelma Harris, Lorenzo Harrison, Thelma Hogue, Lawrence Huggins, Jawana Jackson, Michael Jackson, Bernard Lafayette Jr., Joseph Levin, Jr., Al Lingo, Mary Liuzzo Lilleboe, Annie Lovett, Lydia Blackmon Lowery, Nelson Malden Charles Maudlin, Douglas McCants, Freddie Mitchell, James Oakes, Gwendolyn Patton, James Perkins, Vernetta Perkins, Hank Sanders, Rep. Terri Sewell, Ora Belle Shannon, Hugh Stewart, John Suttles, Mary Dean Turner, Robert Turner, Ethel Waite, Sam Walker, Michelle Waters Douglas Watson, Cheyenne Webb Christburg, Barbara Williams-Parker, Gladys Williams, Lula Williams, John Winston