The Selma to Montgomery marches were to demonstrate the desire of African-American citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Selma to Montgomery marches . The marches were organized by nonviolent activists to demonstrate the desire of African-American citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote , in defiance of segregationist repression , and were part of a broader voting rights movement underway in Selma and throughout the American South . The protesters demanded protection for the Selma marchers and a new federal voting rights law to enable African Americans to register and vote without harassment .