Tuscaloosa Commemorates Bloody Tuesday This Sunday

Most people have heard of Bloody Sunday, which took place in Selma, AL. According to History.com, 

On March 7, 1965 around 600 people crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in an attempt to begin the Selma to Montgomery march. State troopers violently attacked the peaceful demonstrators in an attempt to stop the march for voting rights.

Tuscaloosa's Bloody Tuesday took place almost a year before on June 9, 1964 and is credited with shaping the city's civil rights movement. The Tuscaloosa News reports,

Marchers sought to remove whites-only signs at restrooms and drinking fountains in the new Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. Marchers gathered at First African Baptist Church, with the intent to march to the courthouse. Instead, shortly after beginning to walk, the marchers were beaten and tear-gassed by law enforcement authorities.

Thirty-three men, women and children were hospitalized and 94 people were arrested. On June 25, a federal judge ordered Tuscaloosa County to remove the whites-only signs. 

This Sunday marks the 55th anniversary of this day, and it will be commemorated at the First African Baptist Church at 6 pm.

In addition, according to Civil Rights Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail Opening and Racial Reconciliation Initiative Celebration will be held on Monday, June 10, 2019, at 5:00 pm.  This even will take place at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center at 620 Greensboro Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

View a map of the trail here.