Gretna in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Royal Cyril Brooks
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, April 25, 2020
1. Royal Cyril Brooks Marker
On February 27, 1948, Royal Brooks, a 44-year old African American man and union member of Local 309 FTA-CIO, boarded a bus at Ferry Landing Terminal in Gretna, Louisiana. The woman in front of him paid her fare of one nickel and then realized that she was on the wrong bus, Mr. Brooks offered to ride on her fare and gave her his nickel. This outraged the bus driver, Preston Herbert. Patrolman Alvin Bladsacker boarded the bus, hit Mr. Brooks in the head, and dragged him off the bus. After walking about one block on Huey P. Long Avenue, Patrolman Bladsacker shot Mr. Brooks twice, killing him. A photographer from The Louisiana Weekly took a photograph of Mr. Brooks dying in the street next to his son, In part because of the published image, people were inspired to organize the Committee for Justice on the Brooks case. The organizers put pressure on the city of Gretna to charge Alvin Bladsacker for the murder of Royal Brooks. A jury acquitted him of manslaughter at trial. On April 28, 2018, Gretna Mayor Belinda C. Constant issued an official proclamation apologizing for the killing of Royal Brooks on behalf of the city.
Erected by The Civil Rights & Restorative Justice Project in association with the Brooks Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
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Location. 29° 55.079′ N, 90° 3.99′ W. Marker is in Gretna, Louisiana, in Jefferson Parish. Marker is on First Street near Huey P. Long Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gretna LA 70053, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Phoenix Iron Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Mechanickham (within shouting distance of this marker); Gretna City Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stumpf's Magic Hoodoo (about 500 feet away); Centennial Marker (about 700 feet away); Derbigny Plantation (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gretna (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Crockett Firehall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gretna.
More about this marker. Located on levee at terminus of Huey P. Long Avenue at Gretna Ferry landing.
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, April 25, 2020
2. Royal Cyril Brooks Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
