Civil Rights Memorial, Montgomery, AL

The Civil Rights Memorial is located in Montgomery, Alabama and stands as a monument to the forty people who died struggling for equality and integration of people of European and African descent. This memorial was sponsored by Southern Poverty Law Center. The names on the memorial are of those who died in the years between 1954 and 1968. These dates reflect the beginning of the fight for equality which began when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in schools was unlawful. The ending year was chosen because that was the year that Martin Luther King was assassinated.

This memorial was created by the same artist that designed the Vietnam Memorial, Maya Lin. She also designed the "Women's Table'' at Yale University. They dedicated the memorial in 1989. She chose this design because of the healing and soothing effect that water has. Maya Lin used the inspirational words of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream'' speech. It was delivered on the National Mall in Washington D.C. August 28, 1963. These words are inscribed on the wall behind the memorial and they are "we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream''. This passage is in reference to the Amos 5:24 from the King James Version of the Bible.

The memorial is a round black stone shaped like an inverted cone, which is where there is a fountain. A thin film of water flows over the surface of the stone where the forty names are inscribed. Visitors are encouraged to touch the memorial even though it disrupts the flow of the water. It will quickly return to a smooth film over the memorial, however. The memorial is to represent the aspirations that the American civil rights movement had against racism.

Visitors to the memorial will find that it is just a short distance from the church where Dr. Martin Luther King served as pastor. The memorial is located in an open plaza so that access is observed twenty four hours a day seven days a week.

There are many hotels in the Montgomery, Alabama area for visitors to stay in and they include: Hampton Inn and Suites, Staybridge Suites, Drury Inn and Suites, Wingate Inn, Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center, Sleep Inn and Suites, Homewood Suites, Comfort Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn and Suites, Embassy Suites Hotel, Sandalwood Garden Inn, Red Roof Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Days Inn, SpringHill Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, and Extended Stay America.

Restaurants in and around the Civil Rights Memorial include: India Palace, Derk's Filet & Vine, Miyako Japanese Steak and Sushi, Martin's, City Grill, No Way Jose Grill Cantina, Ox Yoke Steak House and Grill, Young Barn Pub, Hamburger King, El Rey Burrito Lounge, Saigon Deli, Sinclair's, Tomatino's Pizza and Bake Shop and Bonefish Grill.

Other attractions in the Montgomery area feature the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Hank Williams Museum, Old Town Alabama, Montgomery City Planetarium, and the Rosa Parks Library and Museum.