Day 3: Birmingham

2 Commentsby   |  05.17.11  |  Announcements

On Day 3 of the ACU Freedom Ride we woke up in Birmingham, Alabama.

Our day started at Kelly Ingram Park, site of one of the most dramatic confrontations in the Civil Rights movement where fire hoses and police dogs were used on the protesting children.

Fire hoses turned on children in Kelly Ingram Park

Our day, while sobered by the events in 1963, was more joyful. We started by gathering for a group photo:

ACU Freedom Riders in Kelly Ingram Park

Becca and Hart in Kelly Ingram Park

Tony, Jeremy, Rebecca, Brittany, and Jared in Kelly Ingram Park

There is a circular Freedom Walk around the park which features a variety of interpretive statues about the events that transpired in the park:

Statue in Kelly Ingram Park

After some time in the park we walked across the street and toured the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

After lunch we gathered on the steps of the 16th Avenue Baptist Church:

ACU Freedom Riders on the steps of historic 16th Avenue Baptist Church

This church is famous for staging the Birmingham protests. The marchers and protesters would gather inside, hear sermons and sing freedom songs prior to heading outside where they would meet fire hoses and police dogs.

Inside the 16th Avenue Baptist Church

The church is also significant in Civil Rights history for a bombing on September 15, 1963 which killed four girls: Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair.

Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair

Outside the church there is a memorial to the four girls:

Alvina, Cha'Ronn, and Jennifer at the Memorial

Once again, it was an emotional day. But joy as well. For example, Mary brought me a MoonPie!

Tomorrow: Montgomery

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2 Comments

  1. Kimberly Berry
    11:20 pm, 05.17.11

    Love it Dr. Beck!!!

  2. Tammy Marcelain
    3:29 pm, 05.18.11

    Thanks for sharing the Freedom Ride Experience with all of us left back in Abilene. Sign me up for the 2.0 version!!

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