The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has officially unveiled its latest Legacy Site dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement in the capital city.
Montgomery Square is a mostly-outdoor space located next to the Elevation Convening Center and Hotel at the top of Montgomery Street.
Its location is very deliberate, being placed on the same street tens of thousands of people marched on the final leg of the historic Selma to Montgomery March on March 25, 1965.
“We are extremely excited to open this site, which explores how Montgomery created a new chapter for democracy and justice in America. The movement birthed by Montgomery’s residents in 1955, culminating in a triumphant march in 1965, changed the cultural, legal, social, and economic landscape of this nation.”
Bryan Stevenson, EJI Director
Montgomery Square
The site is dedicated to work done in the city between 1955-1965, a “decade that changed the world.”
Visitors at the park will see:
- Sculptures from acclaimed artists Hank Willis Thomas and Basil Watson
- Historic photography
- Timeline of events that led up to the Montgomery Bus Boycitt
- Pillars of segregation laws from the era
The indoor section of the site includes Heroes Hall where new documentary films will air featuring:
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- John Lewis
- Rosa Parks
- Claudette Colvin
- Fred D. Gray
- Jo Ann Robinson
Montgomery Square is built around a giant oak tree that stood there when thousands of Black people walked the city’s streets to end segregation in 1955 and tens of thousands risked their lives to end Black disenfranchisement in 1965.
“This history needs to be studied and understood by every American. We are proud to make learning about this critical decade more accessible to everyone at Montgomery Square.”
Bryan Stevenson, EJI Director
The newest Legacy Site is now open every day except Tuesday from 9AM-6PM. Admission is free and no ticket is required.
EJI Legacy Sites
Learn more about some of the EJI Legacy Sites around Montgomery:
- Freedom Monument Sculpture Park ranked among 25 Best Places to go in the South
- EJI’s new Elevation Hotel now open on Montgomery Street
- EJI unveils new National Monument to Freedom to honor memory, legacy of enslaved people
- Statue of Rosa Parks unveiled in Montgomery [PHOTOS]
- The Legacy Museum opens its doors to the newly expanded building
- John Lewis statue unveiled at EJI’s Legacy Plaza in Montgomery
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