Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Montgomery County Council have proclaimed Tuesday, Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day in the County, according to a press release.
The day recognizes Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus on Thursday, December 1, 1955, and recognizes Parks as an American hero.
“That courageous act of Rosa Parks refusing to move to the back of the bus helped galvanize the Civil Rights movement and triggered the year-long Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Her bold heroism resulted in an arrest, jail time, loss of her job, and threats of violence against her. Yet she resisted and shaped American history and inspired change.”
“It is truly an honor to recognize Rosa Parks today,” said Council President Sidney Katz. “Her unprecedented action changed the course of history and for that, we are all grateful. She resisted and persisted; setting a stellar example for all who followed to emulate.”
“Today marks a day of reflection and of recommitting ourselves to achieving a more equitable future,” Councilmember Nancy Navarro posted to her Twitter account this morning. “The Council took time today to commemorate Rosa Parks Day, to remember her courage, her legacy, and the Civil Rights Movement’s impact on our country.”
The county’s Department of Transportation has installed a placard on each Ride On bus to mark the historic anniversary that states “Dedicated to the memory of Rosa Parks. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks took a seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, and changed the course of American history.” These placards will remain on every bus through the month of December.
Happy Rosa Parks Day! @MontCoExec Marc Elrich and @MoCoCouncilMD proclaimed today as Rosa Parks Day to recognize Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus on 12/1/1955. To mark the anniversary @RideOnMCT installed placards on County buses. pic.twitter.com/JQWZRYHLNp
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) December 1, 2020
Today marks a day of reflection and of recommitting ourselves to achieving a more equitable future. The Council took time today to commemorate Rosa Parks Day, to remember her courage, her legacy, and the Civil Rights Movement’s impact on our country. pic.twitter.com/v1VrOD76zP
— Nancy Navarro (@nancy_navarro) December 1, 2020
Graphic: Montgomery County Government/Twitter