Illinois Gov. Rauner speaks to students, praises 'Selma'

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois' new governor and first lady spent a portion of President's Day speaking to students about the importance of the civil rights movement.

Republican Bruce Rauner and his wife Diana stopped by a Springfield movie theater shortly before middle and high school students from the Boys and Girls Club and the Illinois Freedom Youth Project were set to view the movie "Selma." The historical drama is based on the voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

The Rauners said they viewed the film themselves a few weeks ago.

Diana Rauner told students that the movie was a vivid demonstration "of what nonviolent resistance looks like and how powerful it is."