UA Social Work Observes African-American Heritage Month with Colloquium

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In observance of African-American Heritage Month, The University of Alabama School of Social Work will present a colloquium Feb. 20 at noon in room 223 of Little Hall.

Guest speakers, Rev. Thomas Linton, longtime minister and community organizer, and Maxie Thomas, a civil rights activist, will discuss “Tuscaloosa’s Civil Rights Heritage.”

Linton is the owner of one of Tuscaloosa’s first black barbershops. He was instrumental in organizing the civil rights march in Tuscaloosa during the early 1960s, which became known as Tuscaloosa’s “Bloody Tuesday.”

Thomas, a civil rights movement veteran, played a key role in “Bloody Tuesday.” He serves as director of the West Alabama Community Traffic Safety Organization.

Bloody Tuesday is what June 9, 1964 is known as in Tuscaloosa. A group of black citizens and civil rights supporters marched from First African Baptist Church to the County Courthouse to demand equal rights. They never made it. Marchers were beaten and arrested.

The event is free and open to the public. CEUs (1.0) will be available.

Following the colloquium, audience members are invited to join in informal dialogue and discussion with Thomas at 1:15 p.m.

For more information, contact Liz Dykes at eadykes@sw.ua.edu or 205/348-5384.