The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Joining the Ranks: A Catholic nun and two priests stand in the rain with marathon demonstrators in Selma, Alabama. The group has remained at a police barricade two days and nights after being refused permission to march to the courthouse. From left: Reverend Clement Burns, New Haven, Connecticut; Sister Alberta, Wilmington, Delaware; and Reverend Robert McGratti, Hartford, Connecticut, March 12, 1965

1965
Image: 17.1 x 22.6 cm (6 3/4 x 8 7/8 in.); Paper: 20.3 x 25.3 cm (8 x 9 15/16 in.)
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Clergy came from all over the country to join a voting rights march in Selma, Alabama.

Description

A peaceful march seeking equal voting rights for Blacks set out from Selma toward Montgomery on March 7, 1965. They were soon attacked by state troopers with whips, nightsticks, and tear gas. Television and newspaper coverage of this brutal response inspired clergy and social activists from across the country to join another attempt to reach the state capitol. The protesters were again turned back on March 17 but completed the march on March 21-25.
  • ?-2021
    Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg, Scarsdale, NY
    March 1, 2021
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Photographs in Ink. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 20, 2022-April 2, 2023).
  • {{cite web|title=Joining the Ranks: A Catholic nun and two priests stand in the rain with marathon demonstrators in Selma, Alabama. The group has remained at a police barricade two days and nights after being refused permission to march to the courthouse. From left: Reverend Clement Burns, New Haven, Connecticut; Sister Alberta, Wilmington, Delaware; and Reverend Robert McGratti, Hartford, Connecticut, March 12, 1965|url=false|author=|year=1965|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2021.31