Civil Rights Leader Passes Away

Civil rights activist Bernard Lafayette, who played a key role in the Selma Voting Rights Movement, died on March 5, 2026, at the age of 85. It’s a sad day for those who fought alongside him for equality and justice.

A Look Back

In 1980, Lafayette attended a reunion of civil rights organizers, song leaders, and photographers, hosted by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. The event, called ‘Voices of the Civil Rights Movement,’ featured Lafayette, Bernice Reagon, E.D. Nixon, and Ibisoto Ajamu, among others. They shared stories and sang songs from the movement, keeping its spirit alive.

Ted Holmes reported on the event for ‘Sunday Morning,’ capturing the power of the civil rights movement and its legacy. Lafayette’s passing is a reminder of the movement’s impact and the work that still needs to be done.