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WSB-TV newsfilm clip of former heavyweight boxing champion Floyd Patterson speaking to a reporter about the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963 May 9

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@ Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection

WSB-TV (Television station : Atlanta, Ga.)

Description

In this WSB newsfilm clip from May 9, 1963, Floyd Patterson, former heavyweight boxing champion, speaks to a reporter about supporting the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama. Patterson explains that after learning about the civil rights demonstrators in Birmingham, he wanted to do something to support the movement. After learning that his friend, former baseball player Jackie Robinson was going to Birmingham, Patterson decided to join him. Patterson confirms his plans to demonstrate, to be arrested, and to go to jail if necessary, while he is in the city. When asked about the possibility of police turning hoses or dogs on him, Patterson responds that he thinks he is prepared for the prospect of police brutality, but doesn't believe he'll be able to stand by if bitten by a dog; he notes that he admires the strength of Southerners who have managed to passively resist fire hoses and dogs. Patterson and Robinson arrived in Birmingham on May 13, after negotiations ended demonstrations. While in Birmingham, they spoke to a mass meeting of two thousand people in the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, encouraging the audience to not give up in the struggle for civil rights.Title supplied by cataloger.
Type:
Video
Contributors:
Patterson, Floyd
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Record Contributed By

Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia