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Bloody Sunday Activist Jo Ann Bland Passes at 72

2/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Jo Ann Bland died February 19 at her home in Selma, Alabama, at age 72 from lung cancer.
She participated in 1965 Bloody Sunday protest at age 11 as one of 600 protesters who faced violence from state troopers during Selma-to-Montgomery march.
Her sister, Lynda Blackmon Lowery, who joined the protest, died in December at age 75.
Bland recalled the harrowing screams, highlighting the protest's significance against racial discrimination.

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Story summary

Jo Ann Bland died February 19 at her home in Selma, Alabama, at age 72 from lung cancer.
She participated in 1965 Bloody Sunday protest at age 11 as one of 600 protesters who faced violence from state troopers during Selma-to-Montgomery march.
Her sister, Lynda Blackmon Lowery, who joined the protest, died in December at age 75.
Bland recalled the harrowing screams, highlighting the protest's significance against racial discrimination.