SELMA, Ala. – Organizers of the Battle of Selma have started a GoFundMe page to raise money to support the project.
Battle of Selma committee chairman Candace Skelton says the support, through emails, Facebook posts and phone calls, has brought hope for putting on a battle in 2018.
“It make us feel very hopeful in what we’re trying to do as far as educating people on our Civil War history,” Skelton said. “When an event has been going on for over 30 years, you have to start wondering if it is still giving back to the community like you want it to . so it kind of helps us to get a reality check to find out that the support is still there.”
This year’s battle, which was scheduled for April 20-23, was canceled Feb. 1 after organizers received a letter from the city requesting more than $22,000 for “in-kind” services, The Selma Times Journal reported (http://bit.ly/2loGDDi). The money would cover services from police and fire departments, as well as public works.
James Hammonds, president of the April 1865 Society, which puts on the battle, said there was not enough time to raise the money, which was a 76 percent increase on the event’s entire budget.