releases: http://susanwbrooks.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/march-across-bridge-a-sign-of-unity
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://susanwbrooks.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/march-across-bridge-a-sign-of-unity | March across bridge a sign of unity | 2016-10-01 | 2016 | 2016-10 | Republican | House | IN | Susan Brooks | B001284 | susanwbrooks.house.gov | legacy | ANDERSON – More than 150 people from across the city’s religious and racial lines marched across the Eisenhower Bridge as one in a show of unity Saturday morning. The Reconciliation March was a nod to an event just 51 years ago when civil rights protesters were beaten and bloodied trying to cross a bridge in Selma, Alabama. The march was later called “Bloody Sunday.” “They were never able to walk across that bridge in Selma until everyone came together,” said the Rev. Anthony Harris, who organized the event that started at the Anderson City Building and proceeded east on Eighth Street to Athletic Park for prayer. The march was the realization of a dream Harris had to see people of faith marching with police and community leaders of all races and cultures come together to unite under the banner of peace, particularly in a time when there is so much strife in the world, he said. “This should happen every day, but with what’s happening now, it’s going to be a special time,” he said. U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks, R-5th District, said she “invited" herself to the march because she wanted to hold up a community that can work together in unity. She urged the community members to follow the example of the religious leaders and officers who took part in the march. “I have seen firsthand in Indianapolis in the 1990s what good things can happen when the faith community and law enforcement comes together,” she said. “That’s what good citizens do.” Bill Thompson, president of the Christian Clergy Association of Anderson, said the event was also a way to show support for the police department in Anderson in the wake of riots that have broken out across the country following police action shootings. The walk was meant as a preemptive step to show solidarity in case a similar situation were to happen in Anderson. “I felt it was important that if something happens here we are already together and that may let us know we are together and that (rioting and fighting) won’t happen,” Thompson said. Brooks touched on the topic as well in her opening speech. “I believe in this community,” she said. “I believe if something happens here we won’t see the violent protests in this community because of you. You can be a model for other communities.” For Rodney Clark of Anderson, the march was a way for him to do his part to show the Anderson community that there are people united in support of peace. “This is what me and my wife can do to do our part,” he said. “I hate that things have to happen for us to see that we can be united, though.” His wife, Audrey Clark, added: “Some things go on because we are not united. I am hoping (the Anderson community) can see the demonstration of unity and say ‘we are here to fight for our city." Ken de la Bastide contributed to this article. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |