Obama thanks Archbishop Demetrios for support of civil rights

Archbishop Demetrios of America had a brief discussion with U.S. President Barack Obama in the margins of the events and the march held in Selma, Alabama last weekend to commemorate the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday". According to the Greek state news agency, the American president thanked the Archbishop for his presence and for the "struggle of the Greek Orthodox Church in support of civil rights."

     "On this anniversary we commemorate the heroic faith and hope of those who struggled, of those who upheld human dignity through powerful yet peaceful protests and demonstrations against racism, prejudice, fear and hatred," the Archbishop said, adding that the city of Selma has become a symbol.

He also underlined that his predecessor, the late Archbishop Iakovos - a staunch supporter of the Civil Rights Movement - was the highest-ranking religious leader to march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma in 1965.

ANA-MPA