Community to remember ‘Bloody Tuesday’ in Tuscaloosa Sunday afternoon

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - People will gather in Tuscaloosa Sunday to recognize one of the most important days in Tuscaloosa history.

The fight for civil rights in west Alabama turned after what became known as “Bloody Tuesday.”

On June 9, 1964, civil rights advocates had planned to march to the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse in their fight against segregation.

Tuscaloosa Police attacked the hundreds of marchers inside the First African Baptist Church. In the end, nearly 100 people were arrested and over 30 were admitted to the hospital for medical treatment.

The violence led to history remembering the day as “Bloody Tuesday.”

Just days short of 62 years later, food soldiers in west Alabama’s civil rights movement are still up for a fight. Today, however, they’re fighting so their efforts for equality aren’t forgotten by current or future generations.

Dr. Raymond Stevenson was just 10 years old in 1964.

This Sunday, he is inviting everyone to the “Remembering Tuscaloosa’s Bloody Tuesday” event at the church.

Stevenson said it’s important to remember what happened Tuesday in west Alabama.

“We had men and woman and kids who were willing to put themselves on the line to bring about a change in Tuscaloosa,” he said. “I think Tuscaloosa is a better place because of what happened on June 9, 1964.”

Sunday’s program includes protestors who were attacked inside the church and historians who wrote about Bloody Tuesday, among others.

The event beings at 2 p.m. at 2621 Stillman Boulevard in Tuscaloosa.

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