Central City in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Music in the Movement

March Route to Retail

— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —

Music in the Movement Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

1. Music in the Movement Marker

Inscription. Music was as much a tool in the Birmingham Movement as the marches themselves. The Movement Choir organized by the ACMHR performed regularly during the Monday night mass church meetings. The choir sang songs such as "God Will Make a Way Some How" and "Walk with Me Lord." The people believed that God's power worked through the songs, giving them courage in their non-violent struggle for civil rights. The choir's 18-year-old leader, composer and director Carlton Reese, changed lyrics of familiar spiritual hymns and popular gospel songs, turning them into powerful anthems and chants. "Project C" protestors sang and chanted these songs as they marched down Birmingham streets and as they sat in jail after their arrests.

Paired marker
May 4, 1963
Hundreds of Birmingham teenagers pour out of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church as they begin their protest march to the retail district and other parts of downtown. They sing, “We're gonna walk, walk, walk, to Freedom ... Freedom ... Freedom.” However, their march against segregation ends when Connor's men unleash powerful streams of water from high-pressure

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fire hoses and snapping police dogs on them, all in an effort to keep the young marchers from reaching their targets in downtown Birmingham.

"Singing songs was our way of washing away fear."
Cleopatra Kennedy
ACMHR choir member who was arrested in 1963 at age 20

Lesson B15: Discuss how music can influence people's behavior.

Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number B15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 4, 1963.

Location. 33° 30.926′ N, 86° 48.501′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is in Central City. It is at the intersection of 19th Street North and 3rd Avenue North, on the right when traveling south on 19th Street North. Located on east side of the McWane Science Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American

Music in the Movement paired marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

2. Music in the Movement paired marker

South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Loveman's Department Store/McWane Science Center (here, next to this marker); Sitting in for Lunch (a few steps from this marker); Former F.W. Woolworth Store Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Woman in Paddy Wagon (within shouting distance of this marker); Let My Brother Go (within shouting distance of this marker); S.H. Kress Store Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Shutting Down Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); S. H. Kress Five-And-Ten Cent Store (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

More about this marker. ACMHR = Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights.

Regarding Music in the Movement. The

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 5, 2021

3. Music in the Movement Marker

Civil Rights Activist Committee “Home of the Foot Soldiers“ is the Information Center for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 474 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.