HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — This year marks the 68th anniversary of Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus and move to a "colored" section. To honor Ms. Parks and her historic act, Huntsville Transit provided free bus rides all day Friday at Huntsville Transit Transfer Station.
For bus riders like Merle Kivijarvi, this free bus ride brings a whole new meaning to life in more than just one way. "I have a lot of responsibilities to take care of today," he said. "It helps me understand more about the catalyst of Rosa Parks and the action that she took. I'm grateful! I salute Rosa and all of her efforts that she took to make this day happen."
Huntsville Transit serves the entire Huntsville community regardless of race or background, and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle believes much of that is owed to Rosa Parks.
"Rosa Parks bravery brought forward the integration of Montgomery's transit system and transit systems across the country," he said during a ceremonial speech. "This week, we proudly pay tribute to her courage and her conviction. The sacrifices that she made and others made will never be forgotten."
For David Person with the Huntsville Rosa Parks Committee, their ultimate goal of making Rosa Parks Day a nationally-recognized holiday is important.
"Congresswoman Terri Sewell has introduced legislation that would make December 1 Rosa Parks Day nationally," he said. "We think it's tremendously important because of what her sacrifice symbolizes. Peaceful, nonviolent resistance is, has been, key to the transformation of the United States from a segregated society into an integrated society. "