Rosa Parks is famous for an act that seems simple. She sat down on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. However, that action in 1955 took a lot of courage. And it helped change America. On Sunday, officials in Montgomery took time to honor the hero.
So, why was sitting on a bus such a big deal? At the time, black Americans didn’t have the same rights as white people. They were treated unfairly. In Montgomery, black people had to sit at the back of the bus. They were supposed to give their seats to white people.
On December 1, 1955, Parks wouldn’t get up for a white rider. She was arrested. This event lead to the rise of the civil rights movement. People spoke out for change. They fought for fairness through much of the 1960s. Their work led to many new laws.
Parks died in 2005. But Montgomery officials wanted to honor her. They showed off a statue of Parks. Elton Dean is a city leader. “This statue has been a long time coming,” he said. The official added that Parks “represents all who sacrificed to make a change. She is standing at the heart of Montgomery.”
Dean, a black man, said the government may not look the same if it weren’t for Parks. “Because of Mrs. Parks’ stance, I am able to hold the position I do,” he explained. “She paved the way for minorities and women.” He added, “We are grateful.”
Updated December 2, 2019, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Ashley Morgan
