Fact Check

Is This the Obamas Marching with Protesters in 2020?

Past and present got a little confused online amid widespread protests across the U.S.

by Dan Evon, Published June 5, 2020


obama march selma

Image courtesy of Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson


Claim:
A photograph shows former U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama marching with protesters in June 2020.
Rating:
Miscaptioned

About this rating


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This is a genuine photograph, but it was not taken during the protests against racial injustice and police violence in June 2020.

This photograph actually comes from 2015, when former U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama joined thousands of Americans to mark the 50th anniversary of the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

The photograph was taken by Lawrence Jackson and is available on the archived White House website with the following caption:

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia wait with former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush prior to the walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches, in Selma, Alabama, March 7, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Here's a video of Obama's speech from this event:

Sources: Obama White House

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By Dan Evon

Dan Evon is a former writer for Snopes.


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