Sponsors pay for free tickets to 'Selma' for NYC students

NEW YORK -- A group of African-American leaders inspired by the civil rights message depicted in the film "Selma" are sponsoring tickets for 27,000 New York City students.

Paramount Pictures says Saturday 7th, 8th and 9th graders with a valid student ID or report card can get free admittance through January 19 or while tickets last.

January 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The acclaimed film portrays the marches and life led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The historical drama depicts the campaign leading up to King's historic 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

The SelmaNYC website says a group of 27 African-American leaders created the fund because of the movie's "message of resilience and hope and its historical significance."

To visit the SelmaNYC website, CLICK HERE.