$50,000 in four days: Milwaukee man wants to send young people to see "Selma" in theaters

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Money is being raised to send Boys & Girls Club kids to see the new movie "Selma." The film chronicles activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and their march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in support of equal voting rights.

Richard Lewis, a sales manager at Concours Motors says he wants to see more young people in the audience as Selma is screened at Milwaukee-area theaters. That's why he's giving them free tickets.

Fans of the movie say it depicts a critical part of the 1960s civil rights movement better than any textbook can.

"I was really impressed with the way the movie was put together," Lewis said.

So much so, that when Lewis and his wife left the theater last week, they knew it needed to be shared with the youth of Milwaukee.

"When I saw it, I thought 'wow!' Maybe if they see what their - not their great-grandparents - but their parents...I just need them to see what was done to get the right to vote," Lewis said.

Lewis is teaming up with Marcus Theatres to send as many 7th-12th grade students as possible to see Selma on the silver screen. Lewis raised about $5,000 on his own, and now, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee is stepping in to help with a new goal of $50,000 in four days. That number echoes the 54 miles of highway marched from Selma to Montgomery in the movie.

"It is their community. They are the future Martin Luther Kings and it`s an opportunity for them to learn and be successful," Vincent Lyles, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee said.

There is a hope that the struggles depicted in the film will resonate with the youth of our city.

"All the conflict with young African-Americans and the police department and black-on-black crime," Lewis said.

And hopefully, it will spark discussion and change to continue Dr. King's legacy for future generations.

"It kind of ties into the whole theme of the movie. That`s where the power comes from -- everyone coming together," Lewis said.

The push to get young people to see the movie comes as Selma scores two Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Lewis says Marcus Theatres is planning on keeping the movie in theaters through awards season and Black History Month.

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