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By Breanna Carter 

Special to The Lowndes Signal

The Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage, an annual event commemorating the sacrifice and bravery of civil rights activists, will be held for the 27th year on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Lowndes County Courthouse Square. We are honored to announce that our guest speaker this year will be the bishop-elect from the Episcopal Church in Mississippi, the Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells. 

The event honors the memory of Jonathan Myrick Daniels and other martyrs who gave their lives in the fight for equality and justice in Alabama. 

Daniels, an Episcopal seminarian, was detained and murdered in 1965 after picketing white-only businesses. Every August, hundreds gather to walk the path that Jonathan walked and to pray where he died. Experiences like the pilgrimage shed light on the toughest parts of our history so that we can learn, heal, and grow. 

Alabama has many sacred spaces. For Episcopalians in Alabama, perhaps the most significant is at Hayneville, where Daniels was martyred in August of 1965. 

The pilgrimage has become a fixture for many and a reminder that the equality for which he gave his life is a continuing sacrifice. There is something profoundly moving about going back to a sacred place and remembering, enabling the pilgrim to resolve, repent, and carry on the work of building the beloved community. 

The procession begins at the courthouse square, kicking off at 11 a.m. We invite individuals, families, community groups, and organizations to participate in this meaningful event. 

Together, we can honor the legacy of Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama and all those who fought for justice, while reaffirming our commitment to the principles of equality and human dignity. 

The Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage is an annual event dedicated to commemorating the lives of those who were martyred in the fight for civil rights in Alabama. The event serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice and equality, and as an inspiration for ongoing efforts to achieve these goals. 

For more information about the pilgrimage, please visit dioala.org/racial-healing/ or contact Breanna Carter at bcarter@dioala.org.