Alabama plan advances to alter name of Edmund Pettus Bridge

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have advanced legislation to alter the name of Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor those beaten as they marched for civil rights in 1965. The Alabama Senate voted 23-3 on Tuesday in favor of the legislation, which would change the official name to the “Edmund W. Pettus-Foot Soldiers Bridge.”  However, the lettering on the bridge would remain unaltered. There would be a separate sign honoring the foot soldiers. The bill now moves to the Alabama House with three meeting days remaining in the legislative session. Supporters say the bill would keep the historical name of the bridge while also honoring the history that was made there in 1965.