Civil rights figure Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth dies
October 5th, 2011
12:24 PM ET

Civil rights figure Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth dies

The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a civil rights figure who helped lead efforts in Birmingham, Alabama, has died, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute said Wednesday.

Shuttlesworth is among the iconic figures honored in the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta. King once called Shuttlesworth "the most courageous civil rights fighter in the South."

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against segregated busing in Montgomery, Alabama, Shuttlesworth rallied the membership of a group he established in May 1956 - the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights - and they challenged the practice of segregated busing in Birmingham.

Shuttlesworth also helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, with King and other civil rights leaders.

FULL STORY
Post by:
Filed under: Alabama • Civil Rights
soundoff (15 Responses)
  1. Greg Noble

    I had the pleasure and honor of having the opportunity to meet Rev. Shuttlesworth and work with him for a week in Birmingham in the Summer of 2003 at an educator's workshop. I then had another chance to meet him in the Spring of 2005 at the 40th anniversary of the "Bloody Sunday" march in Selma.

    Reverend Fred was a man of honor, courage, faith, dedication, and passion. No one - and I mean no one - could walk away from this man unchanged. His dedication to making America a nation we can all be proud of is inspiring, and I can only hope that one day this nation will acknowldege the true value of his contributions!

    October 5, 2011 at 12:52 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Jesus and civil rights?

    Odd how people think civil rights are somehow sacred to God and devote their life to ending racial segregation, a losing battle if one truly believes the biblical account, and can see that these men fanning the flames of racism have had the opposite effect they claim. Racism is alive and well to this very day, especially how we still plunder all-black African countries without so much as a word from the Rev.

    October 5, 2011 at 12:57 pm | Report abuse |
    • Greg Noble

      You clearly know nothing about Rev. Shuttlesworth. The Biblical account, as you call it, is clear. Jesus Christ came to set the captives free, but I'm sure you'll now quote some Biblical passage out of context to prove your point.

      But I digress. Men of faith, like Rev. Fred, have mad this world a better place - even for those who neither understand nor appreciate his sacrifice.

      October 5, 2011 at 1:02 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Bathory

    @Jesus Freak: the Rev is not going to say much about things now...he's dead! How like a racist to try and take away from everything the good reverend has done to further civil rights in America!

    October 5, 2011 at 2:00 pm | Report abuse |
  4. justathought

    @Bathory Someday racist like you will die also, what kind of memory will you leave behind?

    October 5, 2011 at 3:18 pm | Report abuse |
  5. banasy©

    @justathought:
    I don't think Bathory is the racist one; read 'Jesus and civil rights' again.
    This poster has a history of posting inflammatory posts against such civil rights leaders such as MLK and Reverend Shuttlesworth.
    Bathory may have went about it the wrong way, but I don't think he's racist.

    October 5, 2011 at 3:30 pm | Report abuse |
  6. zking

    God bless him for standing up and being counted among the courageous.

    October 5, 2011 at 4:07 pm | Report abuse |
  7. banasy©

    zking:
    Agreed.

    October 5, 2011 at 5:49 pm | Report abuse |
  8. bigwilliestyles

    To one of freedoms colossal figures: Rest In Peace Fred Shuttlesworth. Steve Jobs created gadgets; Fred Shuttlesworth created new relations between human beings-some, without their consent.

    October 5, 2011 at 10:33 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Mark L.

    RIP, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, RIP...{:o(

    October 6, 2011 at 9:44 am | Report abuse |
  10. Bryan

    ok, I understand that Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple) died... and it saddens my heart to hear; however, didn't Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth just die too (one of the main forerunners of the civil rights act)? Why is the death of Rev. Shuttlesworth not getting the attention (or even more) that Steve jobs is getting? People (especially black people) should not be pleased with this. CNN and other media sources as google should be notified that this is not right.

    October 6, 2011 at 3:59 pm | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      Would have to agree, not right.

      October 7, 2011 at 8:48 am | Report abuse |
  11. TENE

    Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth was a great man, but he was black.. anyone white in america is news, anyone black is not worth talking about, other than Michael Jackson. America can Go to other countries and fight for the freendom of others, when the blacks in this country will never be free or equal. Every nationality can come to this country and be treated like real AMERICANS, when the BLACKS who helped to build this country will never be treated fairly. It is sad that the rich and powerful whites in the country would rather see AMERICA FALL THAN TO SUPPORT AND WORK with the wonderful president that we have. GOD HAVE MERCY ON AMERIICA.

    October 10, 2011 at 6:48 pm | Report abuse |
  12. tomar brocato

    THAT RELIGION WILL BE THE DEATH TO US ALL!

    October 14, 2011 at 3:05 am | Report abuse |
  13. tomar brocato

    HE'S ALSO UGLY

    October 14, 2011 at 3:08 am | Report abuse |
« Back to main