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Bloody Tuesday was a march that occurred on June 9, 1964 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement. The march was both organized and lead by Rev. T. Y. Rogers and was to protest against segregated drinking fountains and restrooms in the county courthouse. The protest consisted of a group of peaceful African Americans walking from The First African Baptist Church to the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse; however, protesters did not get very far before being beaten, arrested, and tear gassed by not only police officers standing outside the church, but as well a mob of angry white citizens. These events were similar to Bloody Sunday during the Selma to Montgomery marches, which took place a year later and received an extensive amount of media coverage, while there were no journalists to capture the events of Bloody Tuesday. During Bloody Tuesday thirty-three men, women, and children had to be hospitalized, and ninety-four African Americans were arrested by police, this all taking place right outside the church with the marchers not having an opportunity to get to the courthouse. Annually First African Baptist Church commemorates those brave men, women and children who stood up for equality, and human rights in the face of a world who thought they deserved less simply because of the color of their skin. Remembering and acknowledging the past can bring change and reconciliation in the future. The Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force will feature First African Baptist Church, along with other important sites on the soon to be launched Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail later in June. This trail will allow Tuscaloosa’s important role in the Civil Rights Movement to be chronicled for tourists from around the world, and in our own backyard in Alabama to learn about this important history. The 54th Annual Bloody Tuesday Commemorative is brought to you through a collaborative effort between the 10-4 Corporation and the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Task Force in cooperation with the loving congregation of the First African Baptist Church. All are welcome!
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