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Bloody Tuesday

Floor Speech

Date: June 3, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to observe the 60th anniversary of Bloody Tuesday that occurred in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and to acknowledge and respect the SCLC and its Tuscaloosa chapter for their upcoming commemoration event.

On June 9, 1964, over 500 African Americans gathered at the First African Baptist Church to take a stand against racial segregation at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. Before they could march even 5 feet, their peaceful protest was met with violence at the hands of police and a mob of White citizens.

Protesters were tear-gassed, hosed, and beaten with billy clubs and baseball bats. Altogether, 33 marchers were hospitalized, and nearly 100 were arrested. It was the largest assault and invasion of a Black church by law enforcement during the civil rights movement.

Though lesser known, the events of Bloody Tuesday set the stage for Bloody Sunday and the eventual march from Selma to Montgomery.

I commend the Tuscaloosa SCLC for their work to keep the memory of Bloody Tuesday alive.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Tuesday. We must never, ever forget.

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