Civil Rights Pioneer Dies

Montgomery Civil Rights Gov. Bob Riley says Johnnie Carr "leaves behind a lasting legacy of pride
determination and perseverance."

by Associated Press

Published: Sat, February 23, 2008 - 8:40 pm CST Last Updated: Sat, February 23, 2008 - 8:44 pm CST

Johnnie Carr, civil rights leader, dies at 97

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Johnnie Carr, who joined childhood
friend Rosa Parks in the historic Montgomery bus boycott and became
a prominent civil rights activist over the past half century, has
died. She was 97 and died last night at Baptist Health hospital in
Montgomery. She had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke Feb.
11.
Arlam Carr says his mother's 97th birthday was last month, but
that the only place her age showed was on paper. Just days before
her stroke, she had participated in King Day ceremonies in
Montgomery, speaking after a parade up Dexter Avenue to the
Capitol.
In a statement, Gov. Bob Riley says Carr was a "remarkable
woman and will be deeply missed." She was a true inspiration,
Riley said, and "leaves behind a lasting legacy of pride,
determination, and perseverance."
Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, says
Carr is one of the three major icons of the Civil Rights Movement:
Dr. King, Rosa Parks and Johnnie Carr.
NAACP Chairman Julian Bond recalls that Carr traveled to
memorial services in Washington, D.C. where her eulogy of Rosa
Parks was "really the most dynamic" moment.
He says there were many people who spoke who were much better
known, but, he says, Carr "carried the day."
Bond called Carr a "spark plug" and "one of the remaining
links we had to the Montgomery bus boycott."
The family says funeral arrangements would be announced later.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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