The year was 1963 and, as the world watched, events during the Birmingham Civil Rights Campaign set in motion an unstoppable world-wide movement toward equal rights for African Americans, and human rights for citizens of all races, inspiring people around around the world.
Fifty years ago, ordinary African American men, women and children, joined by other people of good faith, put themselves in harm’s way to force America to live up to its creed “that all men are created equal.” Though they used nonviolent tactics to combat racial oppression and discrimination, they faced water hoses, police dogs, jailings, beatings and bombings from those who wanted to maintain racial segregation. However, sentiment changed as the media broadcast these images of repression around the world. People were particularlly horified by the brutal deaths of four girls killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing and two boys killed a few hours after the bombing, all on Sept. 15, 1963.
The Birmingham Movement helped transform America into a fairer democracy for African Americans and all citizens. The historic battles in the streets of Birmingham and in other cities have prompted some historians to call the modern Civil Rights Movement “The Second American Revolution.”
During September 2013, the City of Birmingham will officially mark the 50th anniversary of pivotal events in 1963 that took on its streets, a key battleground in the modern American Civil Rights Movement. Throughout the year, the city and more than 100 organizations have spent more than $1 million to create events that pay homage to the historic events that took place here and its pivotal role in American and world history
In an event in Washington, D.C., officials from the City of Birmingham and families of the four girls killed in the tragic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing attended a ceremony at The Capitol where the four girls were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The medals were given posthumously to 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins and Cynthia Morris Wesley.
The City of Birmingham has designated the week of Sept. 11-15 as Empowerment Week with a host of events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Birmingham Civil RIghts Movement and the Four Little Girls.
DAY 1 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH — DAY OF SERVICE
VARIOUS LOCATIONS, RAILROAD PARK, 9AM – 8PM
Opening
9AM -2:30PM
More than 5,000 volunteers will spread across Birmingham, Wednesday, September 11th, to help improve parks, libraries and more. Volunteers are encouraged to work at least 50 minutes or more on this day. Corporate service groups, churches, community organizations and individuals are encouraged to sign up and play an active role in moving Birmingham 50 Years Forward.
Hands On Birmingham (service project coordinator)
The City has designated 3 volunteer staging sites:
1. George Ward Park ( 1901 Green Springs Avenue) South Zone
2. Greenwood Park (1632 Tallapoosa Street) East Zone
3. Ensley Park (2800 Avenue K, Ensley) West Zone
No technical skills are required
*Volunteer assignments are available for persons of all ages and skill levels.
* Volunteer assignments include but are not limited to: neighborhood and
park clean-ups, basic cleaning, shelving library books, light housekeeping,
basic tree planting and landscaping.
* Job sites are available throughout the city
1PM 9/11 Memorial Commemoration at Kelly Ingram Park
4PM -6PM Local Musical Acts in performance at Kelly Ingram Park
Volunteers will gather at Kelly Ingram Park and share stories of “restoration and renewal’’ at 4:00pm. as Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) collects footage to telecast to its international audience of two billion.
6PM-8PM
Evening of Commemoration and Praise with TBN, featuring appearances by Grammy award-winning gospel singers CeCe Winans and Donnie McClurkin, the Rev. Bernice King, famed actor Clifton Davis and a host of others.
DAY 2 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH – DAY OF EFLECTION
SIXTEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, 9AM – 8PM
The U.S. Conference of Mayors will join nationally-known civic and opinion leaders to discuss events surrounding the 1963 Birmingham Movement and the progress made in the United States since then. Panel discussions will be held at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church throughout the day.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS 9AM- 5PM
9AM
Opening remarks/Welcome at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
Presiding – Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Sacramento
Invocation – Rev. Arthur Price, Jr., Pastor of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
Welcome & Introduction of Moderator – Mayor Bell
Announcement – Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director, The U.S. Conference of Mayors
MORNING SESSIONS
9:10-10:40AM
Panel -1 Reaching Economic Justice:
Moderator: Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Sacramento and Vice President, The U.S. Conference of Mayors
Panelists:
Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia and Past President, The U.S. Conference of Mayors
Paul Soglin, Mayor of Madison
Marilyn Strickland, Mayor of Tacoma
Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans
10:50-NOON
Panel – 2 Building Tolerance
Moderator: Donald L. Plusquellic, Mayor of Akron and Past President, The U.S. Conference of Mayors
Panelists:
Alvin Brown, Mayor of Jacksonville
Chris Cabaldon, Mayor of West Sacramento
Greg Fisher, Mayor of Louisville
Ralph Brede, Mayor of Rochester
Address: Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Mayor of Charleston. Past President, The U.S. Conference of Mayors
12:00 Noon
Mayors’ Press Conference in front of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
12:30-1:00 PM
Mayors Tour of Exhibits at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
1:45-3PM
Panel – 3 Civil Rights/Legal Impact
Moderator: Atty. O. Jerome Green (President of Shorter College and former member of the Clinton Administration)
Keynote address from Judge Glenda Hatchett (30 minutes, then Q & A with panel)
Panelists:
Former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones
David Garrow, University of Pittsburgh Law Professor, civil rights historian
Jefferson County Judge Helen Shores Lee
3:10-4:25PM
Panel – 4 Civil Rights/Education
Moderator: Marcita Thomas, Atlanta television producer and Auburn graduate
Panelists:
Dr. W. Fallin, Professor of History, Montevallo University
Thom Gossom, Jr., Actor
Gen. Charles Krulak, President of Birmingham-Southern College
Dr. Richard Arrington, Jr., First black Mayor of Birmingham
Dr. Randall Horton, Asst. Professor of English, University of New Haven
(Close Out at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church)
6PM-8PM (Doors open at 5PM)
Premiere Screening of “The Watsons Go to Birmingham: Road Trip of a Lifetime’’ at the Alabama Theatre. http://alabamatheatre.com/event/the-watsons-go-to-birmingham/
DAY 3 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH – DAY OF RESTORATION
SIXTEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, 9AM – 8PM
OPENING
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
U.S. Congressional Breakfast 8– 9:45AM (closed to the public)
Invocation – Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Pastor Arthur Price Jr.
MORNING SESSION
10AM-12:15PM
Panel – 1 “Reflecting on Our Past, Moving Fifty Years Forward”
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
Moderator: The Honorable U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma
Panelists: Members of the U.S Congressional Black Caucus
Lunch (Regions Bank with Dr. Condoleezza Rice – Invitation only)
(Lunch at BCRI for morning volunteers.)
AFTERNOON SESSION
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
1PM-3:10PM
Panel – 3 Civil Rights/International Impact
Led by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Former U.S. Secretary of State ( Web cast from Regions Bank)
The panel will discuss civil and human rights from a variety of perspectives, such as:
- How did the events of 1963 in Alabama translate in America and around the world?
- What lessons can we learn from 1963 in moving beyond Civil Rights and embracing a broader definition of Human Rights?
- How do we move the cause of universal Human Rights forward? Are we making progress?
3:45PM – 5:45PM
Panel – 4 Civil Rights/International Impact
Led by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Former U.S. Secretary of State
Moderator: Mr. Hugh Williams, Diplomat in Residence and member of the Senior Foreign Service
Consul General Paul Gleeson, Ireland
Consul General Christoph Sander, Germany
Consul General Stephen Brereton, Canada
Consul General Thomas Gandy, Haiti
7-10PM
U.S. Conference of Mayors Uptown Cityfest (This event is FREE and open to the public.)
Come out and enjoy live music from around the country as the City of Birmingham welcomes the U.S. Conference of Mayors at Birmingham’s Uptown Entertainment District. Bands representing Sacramento, New Orleans, Birmingham and Philadelphia will fill the night air with tunes as citizens dine at Todd English Pub and various food trucks.
DAY 4 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH – DAY OF RECONCILIATION
BJCC SOUTH EXHIBITION HALL & PLAZA, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, 10AM – 9PM
Opening
BJCC – 10AM – 2PM
Bill Cosby – Forum – Dr. Cosby and other national arts, culture and entertainment figures will host a day filled with conversation and screening on the movement and its effects.
10AM- 4PM – BJCC
DIVERSITY FAIR
Experience Birmingham’s different cultures during the Diversity Fair at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex’s South Exhibition Hall
- Sit in on the Birmingham Society for Human Resource Management career workshops, South Exhibition Hall
- Check out a children’s art display, get makeover advice and visit companies and agencies focused on putting Alabama back to work, South Exhibition Hall
- Get in the kitchen with area cooks at the Alagasco/Energen Taste of Birmingham cooking stage, plaza area near the BJCC marquee,
- Bring the kids out for the Kids’ Zone with McWaneScienceCenter science projects and the Birmingham Zoo petting zoo, located underneath the overpass and across from the BJCC
- Drink up at the Coca-Cola Experience, BJCC Plaza
- Get a free health checkup in the Walgreens bus, enjoy a massage, pick up fresh fruit and more during the Let’s Move health fair outside the BJCC
- Experience good food from the Birmingham food trucks along the street next to the BJCC Plaza, (11:00AM- 5PM)
- Enjoy entertainment from different cultures on a stage outside the BJCC
Birmingham Zoo and McWane Center in Kid’s Zone (underneath the overpass)
Let’s Move, (Morning exercises, Walgreens’ health bus, etc. James Gibbs, city’s fitness expert, 329.3695)
Noon to 4PM
SECOND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR (between 21st and 19th Streets on 8th Avenue North; and short 20th)
- Experience food, entertainment and arts and crafts from around the globe during the Second Annual International Street Fair, on Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard between Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard and Nineteenth Street North
- Learn about Birmingham’s different nonprofit organizations, located along the Birmingham Museum of Art’s Garden Walk
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Support tomorrow’s leaders during the sorority’s “Emerging Young Leaders Forum” at the Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, time TBA
4PM
Unveiling of the Four Spirits Monument – Kelly Ingram Park
6:30PM
BBVA Compass Concert for Human Rights
VIP Reception for Concert – BJCC Arena Club – 6:30-8PM ($50) – BJCC
Move to your own beat during the BBVA Compass Concert for Human Rights, co-produced by Live Nation, featuring Jamie Foxx, Jill Scott and Charlie Wilson — BJCC, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, 8PM
DAY 5 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH – DAY OF COMMEMORATION
SIXTEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, ALABAMA THEATER, ALYS STEPHENS CENTER, RAILROAD PARK, 9AM – 8PM
This day marks the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, when four girls — Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Morris Wesley and Denise McNair — were killed. A worship service at 3PM to commemorate the tragic event will be held at the church.
Once church services end, live theatrical performances will take place Kelly Ingram Park to mark the past, at Linn to mark the present, and Railroad Park that looks to the city’s future.
Special presentations that salute Birmingham’s civil rights foot soldiers — who took part in the mass demonstrations in May 1963, facing police dogs and fire hoses — and The Four Girls.
Opening
10:22AM
Dedication of Four Spirits Monument and Laying of the Wreath at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.
NOON
Family Reunion/Expo with the Birmingham Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – Breezeway of Regions Park Stadium
Film Director Spike Lee – Movie Screening/Forum on his 1997 documentary, 4 Little Girls – Alabama Theater, Noon
12:30PM-2PM
ArtPlay’s Production of “Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963” — U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder and Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D. at a 12:30PM discussion with UAB President Ray L. Watts. After a 20-minute intermission, the ASC and ArtPlaywill present Christina M. Ham’s “Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963” play at 2 p.m. in the Alys Stephens Center’s Jemison Concert Hall, 1200 10th Ave. South. The play is being performed on stages natonally — including a production by Phylicia Rashad of Cosby-Show fame at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., — as part of Project1Voice’s 1 Voice, 1 Play,1 Day initiative.
3PM
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Commemorative Event. Special guests U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Rev. Al Sharpton
5PM– 7PM
TBN entertainers – The Power Hour with hosts Mayor William Bell, Arthur Blessitt and Mayor William Bell; guests Rev. Rod Parsley and Pastor George Matthews; and singers Wess Morgan and Anthony Edwards – at Kelly Ingram Park
6:30PM
Concert with American Idols Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks, along with Sarah Evans – at Railroad Park
8PM
Railroad Park with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (feat. Jeremy Rosado) and the Red Mountain Theater Group
9PM
Fireworks/Closing Ceremony
[See MORE at 50YearsForward.com]
Find More Commemorative Events Online
See more details about other related events at Birmingham365.org’s Special Section on 50th Anniversary Events
If you have an event that is a part of 50 Years Forward Commemorations, you are encouraged to submit it to the community calendar at Birmingham365.org.
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