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

Attorney for His People

March Route for Fair Housing

— Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail —

Attorney for His People Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 26, 2021

1. Attorney for His People Marker

Inscription. 1949
For four decades, Shores was deeply involved in civil rights challenges handling dozens of cases primarily for the Birmingham branch of the NAACP on behalf of African Americans. In the 1940s, the Birmingham NAACP had grown to more than 8,500 members and received recognition from the national NAACP as its most outstanding branch for its work in combating police brutality, voting rights, and employment discrimination including unequal pay for Black public school teachers. The local branch raised $10,000 from area churches to challenge racial zoning in the courts. Shores filed all of the legal challenges for Blacks who moved into the Dynamite Hill area.

"Attorney Shores...was a chosen vessel: he represented his people well."
Bishop Calvin Woods
Longtime Birmingham civil rights activist, to Helen Shores Lee. Shores' affiliation with the NAACP allowed him to develop a close friendship with Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP's leading national attorney. Marshall assisted Shores and Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth in the 1952 case of Autherine Lucy, who in 1956 became the first African American to integrate the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Shores helped Marshall and other NAACP lawyers in the 1954 landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, which dismantled the racially-motivated "separate

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but equal” doctrine. Shores' profile was raised even higher in June 1963 when he handled the case of Vivian Malone and James Hood. They gained admission into the University of Alabama despite Gov. George Wallace's now famous “stand in the schoolhouse door."

Lesson H21: Why do you think African Americans were so determined to break through barriers for fair housing and a good education?

Erected by the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. (Marker Number H21.)

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

Location. 33° 31.157′ N, 86° 50.163′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Center Street and 10th Court North, on the right when traveling north on Center Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1021 Center St, Birmingham AL 35204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Secret Multiracial Meetings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Price of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Gentle Giant of Dynamite Hill (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 26, 2021

2. Attorney for His People Marker

Rev. Shuttlesworth Calls for Peace and Action (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Black Classes and the Masses (about 600 feet away); First Neighborhoods, then Schools (about 800 feet away); Children of Dynamite Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Angela Davis House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Regarding Attorney for His People. The Civil Rights Activist Committee “Home of the Foot Soldiers“ is the Information Center for the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 26, 2021

3. Attorney for His People Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 29, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.