The population of Selma City has shrunk dramatically from the peak in the 1960s, and the city is now one of the poorest in Alabama. The average income is $35,500, about 30% below the state average. The high rate of poverty and the lack of traditional job opportunities in the city have led to the decline in its quality of life. And with its low median income, Selma has become a symbol of today's civil rights failures.
The city was once a slave community but today represents civil rights and the 1965 march for voting rights. The movie Selma was named after the town, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge is recognizable from newsreels of Bloody Sunday, when police stomped on the marchers. President Obama's visit to Selma coincided with the 50th anniversary of the events that occurred on that day. The town center has three main streets, which are primarily tourist destinations.
Selma officials have been operating under the color of law for over ten years, and show no signs of stopping their lucrative business. This town is violating several Texas statutes and appears to be prepared for a protracted legal battle if the residents don't stop their illegal activity. But the city will not stop there. This city is an important center for the south Texas economy, and the community's proud residents are proud of their city.