Times staff report
Hundreds of people filled the corner of 16th Street and 5th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham on Sunday, Aug. 28 to support transforming the Civil Rights District into a national park.
The March for Birmingham brought Mayor William Bell and the city together with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell and other leaders to urge Congress and President Obama to support legislation creating a Civil Rights National Park in Birmingham.
“We want to make sure we preserve this history for future generations,” Sewell said to the crowd before the march.
Led by members of the Birmingham Urban League the march started at A.G. Gaston Motel, down to Fourth Avenue North and to the 16th Street Baptist Church. The Carver High School marched behind the Urban League.
Amid cheers of support from onlookers, the crowd chanted “Stop the violence” and “Birmingham National Park.” The evening concluded with artist Ledisi, who performed several singles including, “I Blame You,” and “Like This.”
To support the efforts to help create the Civil Rights District, go to www.change.org/p/help-create-a-civil-rights-national-park-in-birmingham-2.
