ASU's National Center Hosts the 64th Observance of the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Alabama State University's National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture is hosting a 64th anniversary commemoration of the Montgomery Bus Boycott on Dec. 2, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, which is located at 347 North Ripley Street. It is part of the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy Series that is named for one of the University's most distinguished alumni. The program is the centerpiece of events fulfilling the mission of the National Center to research, record, preserve and teach the history of a courageous and determined people who refused to surrender to fear and intimidation to secure their full rights as American citizens.

The keynote speaker for this occasion will be the Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs, pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ala. He is a past president of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention, USA.

The theme for this year's observance is “The Seedbed of the African-American Freedom Movement in the Twentieth Century.”

This year’s program will honor the Montgomery Bus Boycott's activists (unsung heroes) who formed a wider, but crucial set of supporters of this moment for African-American liberation. ASU’s National Center for Civil Rights will honor these gallant soldiers, including carpool drivers, mass meeting churches, everyday citizens, and others, through special resolutions.

The event will also feature Mass Meeting hymns and special musical selections.

It is free and open to the public and the news media is welcomed to attend.

 

 Kenneth Mullinax/ASU contributed to this release.