Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Campsite 4

Selma to Montgomery Trail

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 18, 2020

1. Campsite 4 Marker (East side of campus).

Inscription.
City of St. Jude
March 24, 1965

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 24, 1965.

Location. 32° 21.098′ N, 86° 19.519′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is on West Fairview Avenue west of Oak Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in front of the St. Jude Apartment Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2018 W Fairview Ave, Montgomery AL 36108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marching to Montgomery (a few steps from this marker); Heroes' Welcome (within shouting distance of this marker); A Refuge (within shouting distance of this marker); City of St. Jude/The Selma to Montgomery March (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Sites Near Fairview Environmental Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Support: Local and Organizational (approx.

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half a mile away); Charlie and Lucille Times (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bertha Pleasant Williams Library (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Regarding Campsite 4.
National Park Service

Selma to Montgomery March

Until 1965, counties in Alabama used preventive measures in order to prevent African-Americans from registering to vote. Because of this, only 2% percent of the African-American population of Dallas County at that time was able to vote and 0% in Lowndes County. However, civil rights activists began to protest in Selma in order to bring attention to this injustice. These protests were often met by violence from the local sheriff's department, leaving many wondering what was going to happen next.
On the evening of February 18, 1965 during a protest to free SCLC supporter Rev. James Orange from the Perry County Jail, located in Marion ,AL, Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot in the abdomen. Jackson died from his wounds on February 26.

On March 7, approximately 600 non-violent protestors, the vast majority being African-American, departed from Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma with the intent

Campsite 4 Marker at St. Jude Apartments (formerly St. Jude Catholic Hospital). image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 18, 2020

2. Campsite 4 Marker at St. Jude Apartments (formerly St. Jude Catholic Hospital).

on marching 54-miles to Montgomery, as a memorial to Jimmy Lee Jackson and to protest for voter's rights. As they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, they were met by a column of State Troopers and local volunteer officers of the local sheriff's department who blocked their path. The non-violent protesters were told by Maj. John Cloud that they had two minutes to return back to their church and homes. In less than the time allotted, they were attacked by the Law Enforcement Officers with nightsticks and teargas. According to several reports, at least 50 protestors required hospital treatment. The brutality that was displayed on this day was captured by the media; however, the media was held back as the protesters retreated, where the violence continued for some time.

The attack caused outrage around the country, and March 7 became known as "Bloody Sunday". Two days later, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a second march which again had its path blocked by Law Enforcement Officers. This time they decided to turn back and not risk a violent confrontation. However, that evening, three Unitarian ministers who had traveled to Selma in order to join the protest were attacked by a group of white hooligans. On March 11, Rev. James Reeb, died from his injuries.

The civil rights protestors sought and received an injunction for a third march, which was granted by Judge

Another nearby Campsite 4 Marker (west side of campus) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 28, 2018

3. Another nearby Campsite 4 Marker (west side of campus)

Final stop before arrival at State Capitol
March 24, 1965

Frank M. Johnson, Jr. on March 17. On March 21 the official Selma to March began with the final number of supports reaching near 25,000 people on March 25. Five months later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act which prohibits discrimination in voting practices or procedures because of race and color.

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail was created by an act of Congress in 1996. The National Park Service operates the Lowndes County Interpretive Center, the first of three planned centers. It is halfway between Selma and Montgomery and is on the site of the original “Tent City”.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. The Campsite 4 Experience at St. Jude. (Submitted on May 4, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Map of the Selma to Montgomery Trail. (Submitted on October 26, 2020, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)

Campsite 4 Marker on the west side of the St. Jude Educational Institute. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 28, 2018

4. Campsite 4 Marker on the west side of the St. Jude Educational Institute.

Selma to Montgomery Trail sign along the route. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018

5. Selma to Montgomery Trail sign along the route.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 412 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 4, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.