Exhibitions

March to Freedom

Alabama state troopers confront the marchers, led by Rev. Hosea Williams and John Lewis. Williams holds his nose in anticipation of tear gas, by James "Spider" Martin. James "Spider" Martin Photographic Archive. The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. © Tracy Martin.

"He left, through the power of his camera and with a quick eye, images that will educate and sensitize unborn generations." — John Lewis, Civil Rights Leader and U.S. Congressman

Exhibition

In the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the charismatic leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), joined with civil rights leaders including James Farmer, Roy Wilkins, A. Phillip Randolph, and John Lewis to lead peaceful demonstrations and conduct nonviolent acts of civil disobedience publicizing the need for equal rights, including a national voting rights law. The media coverage of their peaceful demonstrations, which were at times met with violent opposition, helped garner widespread support necessary for the passage of voting rights legislation. The three marches opened the door for the signing of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965.

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.

March to Freedom is an exhibition by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin and the LBJ Presidential Library, presented in partnership with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Martin’s photographs from March 1965 are part of the Briscoe Center’s extensive photojournalism holdings.

Exhibition Format

Wall-Hanging 
LanguageEnglish
Content30 framed, black-and-white photographs
  • 30 frames at 22” x 26”
30 identification labels
Narrative text panels
Video presentation (CD)
Space Requirements120 linear feet of wall space
Shipping Weight and DimensionsTravels in 2 wooden crates
  • 27” x 37” x 30” - 230 lbs.
  • 27” x 37” x 30” - 230 lbs.
Rental Fee*$750*
Rental Period6 weeks

*Rental fees are based primarily on the cost of shipping. Prices may vary based on current fuel surcharges or venue location within the state of Texas. Out-of-state rentals are priced on an individual basis. Please call for a rental fee quote specific to your venue.

Press Release

A press release is available for promoting this exhibition at your venue. Please contact the exhibitions coordinator to request a draft press release. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the exhibitions coordinator to process your request.

Publicity image

A publicity image is available for promoting this exhibition at your venue. Please contact the exhibitions coordinator to request an electronic file of this image. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the exhibitions coordinator to process your request.

Humanities Texas logos

Logo files are also available for download from the logo page.

Questions and Rental Information

Call 512.440.1991 or email
exhibitions@humanitiestexas.org

2024 Bookings

Texas City Museum
Texas City, TX
02/16/2024 - 03/29/2024

Vanishing Texana Museum
Jacksonville, TX
01/31/2025 - 02/28/2025

Irving Archives and Museum
Irving, TX
01/29/2026 - 03/19/2026

John Lewis, Hosea Williams, Albert Turner, and Bob Mants lead the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, by James "Spider" Martin. James "Spider" Martin Photographic Archive. The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. © Tracy Martin.
Alabama state troopers confront the marchers, led by Rev. Hosea Williams and John Lewis. Williams holds his nose in anticipation of tear gas, by James "Spider" Martin. James "Spider" Martin Photographic Archive. The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. © Tracy Martin.