Legends of “Selma” in Santa Barbara

A highly anticipated film that recounts Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic march for equal voting rights hit theaters Friday. “Selma” takes you back to a tumultuous period in American History that eventually led to President Johnson signing the voting rights act of 1965.

The film drew big stars to Santa Barbara for a special screening that not only celebrated the movie, but the heroes of that era. Many of the men and women who marched from Selma to Montgomery Alabama some 50 years ago were honored in a special ceremony.

Oprah Winfrey signed on as a producer of the film, she also plays the role of Annie Lee Cooper, a hero of the movement who was denied the right to vote several times.

NewsChannel 3’s Shirin Rajaee caught up with some of the stars as well as John Lewis, a civil rights leader who was actually there crossing the bridge 50 years ago. Lewis recounts the painful memories and speaks on how the film is so timely. He says it echoes the spirit of those protesting in Fergusson, New York and around the country today.