By the Rev. Dawn Cooley
Because I am a mother, it is probably not surprising that one of the things that has captivated me today and occupied much of my emotional energy on this second day of the UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage is the role of children in the civil rights movement.
I had no idea that there had been a Children’s Crusade as an essential part of of the movement here in Birmingham. In the spring of 1963, over the course of several days, thousands of children and youth flooded the streets in nonviolent protest. They exited 16th street baptist and filled the Kelly Ingram park across the street. The police had dogs and firehoses. Hundreds of children were arrested and put in jail. The jails were jammed, as were the jails in neighboring towns. I heard stories today from one man, 11 at the time, who was able to escape thought many of his friends were arrested. And stories from a woman who was 12 who was arrested and put into jail along with many of her compatriots.
More...
Because I am a mother, it is probably not surprising that one of the things that has captivated me today and occupied much of my emotional energy on this second day of the UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage is the role of children in the civil rights movement.
I had no idea that there had been a Children’s Crusade as an essential part of of the movement here in Birmingham. In the spring of 1963, over the course of several days, thousands of children and youth flooded the streets in nonviolent protest. They exited 16th street baptist and filled the Kelly Ingram park across the street. The police had dogs and firehoses. Hundreds of children were arrested and put in jail. The jails were jammed, as were the jails in neighboring towns. I heard stories today from one man, 11 at the time, who was able to escape thought many of his friends were arrested. And stories from a woman who was 12 who was arrested and put into jail along with many of her compatriots.
More...
RSS Feed