Montgomery, Alabama. A lot happened here on the Civil Rights front back in the fifties and sixties. There is a moving Rosa Parks Museum where a guide takes you through the story of how on December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger. She was arrested and convicted and fined even though the segregated bus rules didn't require her to actually give up her seat in those circumstances. In response, a bus boycott by black riders ensued for 13 months. The authorities responded by filing charges of criminal conspiracy agains 80 ministers leading the boycott. Dr King chose to go to jail rather than pay the $500 fine. Meanwhile, a civil action was brought challenging bus segregation and finally the US Supreme Court in Browder v. Gayle ruled that the bus segregation ruled were contrary to the US constitution. The Court directed that bus segregation cease. Our guide told us that one of the worst features of the old system was that a black bus rider would enter the front of the bus and pay er fare. She would then have to exit the bus and walk outside to the back of the bus to get back on. Too often the driver would drive off as she was on her way to the rear door.

The Montgomery Biscuits (as in bisuits and gravy), is the farm team for Tampa Bay. David Price and Evan Longoria played here in the way up to the big leagues

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Tucked away in a back corner of the Montgomery Museum is some memorabilia relating to Governor George Wallace, the fierce segregationist. 

Malden Brothers Barber Shop back in the 1960s

Malden Brothers Barber today

Got my hair cut; not sure if he was a Malden

One of the few restaurants left on the main strip.......Hank Williams was a regular and regularly got kicked out for being too rowdy

Alabama's Capitol building

Rosa Parks on the bus

Rosa Parks being fingerprinted

No photography allowed in the museum so here is President Obama's instead