Celebration fit for a Legend: Hundreds celebrate Civil Rights Leader Dr. Frederick D. Reese with historical caravan trail

Over 100 cars lined up at Bloch Park this afternoon for the Dr. Frederick D. Reese Day Caravan celebration.

City Councilwoman Leisa James said this was a perfect way to honor a legend. Last month the Selma City Council passed a resolution to have Dr. Frederick D. Reese Day.

“The city passed a resolution for Dr. F.D. Reese Day letting the community know that Dr. Reese was important to us in the community,” she said. “Dr. Reese was a man that stood tall, but very quiet.”

She said the stops made during the caravan were to educate the community members on the different contributions Reese made to Selma. James said many may not know of his influence and hard work because he worked so hard behind the scenes.

While spreading awareness of Reese’s service and dedication, James said today’s caravan surpassed her goal.

“I think it’s an honor and a blessing,” she said. “My goal was 50 cars and we over exceeded my goals.”

Alan Reese, Dr. Frederick D. Reese’s grandson, said he was happy to see so many people came out to celebrate his grandfather’s legacy.

“I think the turn out was great, I really enjoyed it,” Alan said. “It surpassed my expectations.”

Alan said he hoped the celebration only continued to grow bigger every year, hopefully adding more to it.

He said his grandparents lost two children due to muscular dystrophy and in an effort to spread awareness about the disease the March for Muscles was started.

“I would like to see the March for Muscles added to the F.D. Reese Day in the future,” Alan said.

The Reese family, Councilwoman James, and community members joined for an opening ceremony on the outside of Selma High School before the start of the caravan.

“We presented my grandfather’s first teacher’s contract to the City of Selma,” Alan said. “We wanted to show that him leading the Teacher’s March is something that the world needs to know.”

Alan said they wanted to educate more people about the Teacher’s March led by his grandfather.

On January 22, 1965 Dr. Frederick D. Reese led a group of 105 African American teachers from Clark Elementary School to the steps of the Dallas County courthouse with the intent to register to vote.

“We wanted to show these documents to the children and educators who come through Selma that something great started in Selma, Alabama through F.D. Reese,” Alan said.

Dr. Frederick D. Reese Day will be celebrated annually March 21st in Selma, Alabama.