5 Suitcases

The Birmingham Civil Rights Monument tells the story of the Freedom Riders of 1961.  The Freedom Riders were a group of people (both black and white) who banded together to fight segregation.  They tried to use “whites-only” restrooms and lunch counters at bus stations throughout the southern states.  The groups were met with angst from white protestors.

The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument is a collection of 7 sites important to the Civil Rights Movement. 

These include:

• A.G. Gaston Motel– HQ to the 1963 desegregation campaign in Birmingham.
• Kelly Ingram Park- In May of 1963, police and firemen attacked civil rights demonstrators (many of whom were kids) in the streets surrounding this park.  This led to a nationwide public outcry to integrate America’s most segregated city.
• Sixteenth Street Baptist Church– On September 15, 1963, the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) bombed this church killing four girls.
• The Masonic Temple Building- This building stood as a symbol of African Americans’ resilience in one of the most racially segregated cities.  The Masonic Temple held offices for black doctors, dentists, attorneys, and activists.
• St. Paul United Methodist Church- One of the oldest African American churches in the city.  It played a pivotal role in launch integration efforts throughout the south.
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute- The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a cultural and education research center that is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.  They outline the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham.
• Historic Bethel Baptist Church- The epicenter of non-violent desegregation campaigns in Birmingham during the 1950s and 1960s.

Amenities:  Historic site *This is a new park so it is still a work in progress*
Entrance Fee:  Free
Address: 1510 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
National Park Website for Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument