In anticipation of the presidential elections, the Birmingham Public Library is hosting a special screening series of The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement across fourteen branches in September and October.
Seven local civil rights activists and foot soldiers spoke at their kick-off screening last Wednesday, September 12, at the Linn-Henley Research Library. Check out their inspiring bios below, as well as a list of upcoming screenings that you won’t want to miss.
- BARBARA BASEMORE 1963 child protestor. Left high school, marched and was jailed for several weeks. Her spoken quote is on the Civil Rights Trail Marker in front of the Robert Vance Courthouse on 5th Avenue North.
- PAULETTE PORTER ROBY Left Ullman High School and went to jail for protesting unfair practices. Stayed in jail overnight and was released by the NAACP members who paid her bond.
- GLORIA WASHINGTON LEWIS-RANDALL Child protestor of 1963. One of the thousands of school children who left school, marched, and was jailed for participating in the protest sit-ins and boycotts.
- SEARCY CRAWFORD Demonstrator of the 1956-1963 Civil Rights Movement. Jailed in the Birmingham City Jail in 1963
- CHARLES AVERY, JR. High school demonstrator of 1963. Led the students from Hooper City High School in protest of unfair practices. Had to be hidden in Chicago, Illinois until movement was over to assure his safety from racists and Ku Klux Klan members
- LAVERN REVIS MARTIN 1956-1963 demonstrator who was instrumental in finding dynamite at Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth’s home and preventing a second bombing there
- SHIRLEY GAVIN FLOYD 10 year old child in 1963 who was among demonstrators, but did not quite understand what was going on. Served as a liaison to Robin Fryday in the making of The Barber of Birmingham documentary.
The Barber of Birmingham (Photo by Robin Fryday)
Upcoming Screenings
There will be speakers present at each screening. Check our Local Events Map for updates.
Avondale Library
Monday, September 24, 6:30 p.m.
509 – 40th St. South, (205) 226-4000
Southside Library
Tuesday, September 25, 12 p.m.
1814 – 11th Ave. South, (205) 933-7776
North Avondale Library
Wednesday, Septmeber 26, 10:30 a.m.
501 43rd St. North, (205) 592-2082
Titusville Library
Wednesday, September 26, 12 p.m.
#2 Sixth Ave. SW., (205) 322-1140
East Ensley Library
Thursday, September 27, 4 p.m.
900 14th St. Ensley, (205) 787-1928
Inglenook Library
Friday, September 28, 3 p.m.
4100 – 40th Terrace North, (205) 849-8739
Springville Road Library
Thursday, October 2, 4 p.m.
1224 Old Springville Road, (205) 226-4083 (This screening is geared towards teens.)
Five Points West Library
Friday, October 10, 10:30 a.m.
4812 Ave. W, (205) 226-4013
Smithfield Library
Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m.
#1 Eighth Ave. West, (205) 324-8428
Powderly Library
Friday, October, 19, 10:00 a.m.
3301 Jefferson Ave. SW., (205)925-6178
North Birmingham Library
Wednesday, October 22, 11 a.m.
2501 – 31st. Ave. North, (205) 226-4025
For more information, visit http://bplolinenews.blogspot.com/2012/08/bpl-screens-barber-of-birmingham.html.
The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement will also rebroadcast on Alabama Public Television (APT) on September 25th. Check your local listings at http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/.
