Alabama State University June 4, 2015 Boycott Commemoration Plans Include Great-Grandson of Sir Winston Churchill By Lois G. Russell During his first visit to the city of Montgomery, Duncan Sandys met with ASU President Gwendolyn E. Boyd and acclaimed civil rights activist, Doris Crenshaw, to discuss the historic 60th anniversary commemoration of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Sandys is the great-grandson of one of Great Britain's most famous prime ministers, Sir Winston Churchill. The meeting was held in ASU's Councill Hall, the building in which faculty member JoAnn Robinson and her students copied the flyers used to notify Montgomery's black community of the boycott in December of 1955. "We are excited that he is here today... as we continue to bring together ideas and creativity around the issues of our youth and those issues that continue to promote empowerment, diversity and inclusion," said Boyd. Sandys' visit was coordinated by Crenshaw, who has partnered with the University to plan the events surrounding the boycott anniversary. "Obviously, the Montgomery Bus Boycott is one of the iconic moments in the Civil Rights Movement, and I think that to be here to be part of the commemoration of that moment and that yearlong struggle, as it was the beginning of what has become a much longer struggle, is a great honor," said Sandys. "I am delighted that my friend, Doris Crenshaw, has invited me to be an honorary chairman of that commemoration, and I look forward to taking full part." Crenshaw indicated that Sandys is the first of several world figures who will come to Montgomery prior to and during the commemoration. "As time goes on, we will be bringing many of our honorary chairs who are world leaders to this campus because this boycott impacted a worldwide movement," said Crenshaw. Sandys lives part time in Atlanta with his wife, the former Mary Brown Brewer, who is a native of Macon, Ga. Like his great-grandfather, he has a keen interest in history and human rights. "Anytime you're standing on ground where history has been made, it is always something that is extremely moving," said Sandys. "Of course, the boycott was big news in the UK at the time, but I think in a wider context of the human rights struggle across the world and in other countries. It's a very inspirational moment. What Mrs. (Rosa) Parks did was incredibly brave. And when you read about the results of what happened after... the threats that were made... this was an incredibly courageous moment and one to be saluted... It is a great honor and very humbling to be a part of that (commemoration)." Boyd said the December commemoration of the boycott will be the culminating event to a yearlong celebration of the Civil Rights Movement. "This has been a spectacular year here in Montgomery, as we've celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, and now we prepare for the 60th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott," said Boyd. "As we prepare to bring world leaders to Montgomery to participate in all of the activities that will be a part of the celebration, we are just excited to know that not only world leaders from other places will come, but we will also be able to celebrate those who were part of Alabama State's history: JoAnn Robinson, Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, Fred Gray and Rosa Parks - all who walked these hallowed grounds here at Alabama State University. We want to celebrate all of them and what they did and how meaningful it has been to all of our lives as we continue to press forward." The Boycott commemoration will be held December 1-7 and includes a full schedule of events to be held on the ASU campus and around the city of Montgomery. For more information, contact the Office of Development at 334-229-4431. Bus Boycott Commemoration Schedule of Events Tuesday, December 1 * Walk the Historic "Rosa Parks Route" * Ride the Historic Bus Wednesday, December 2 * Walk the Historic "Rosa Parks Route" * Ride the Historic Bus Thursday, December 3 * University-Wide Convocation * Dedication of Historic Marker in front of William Hooper Councill Hall * HBCU Choirs' Concert Friday, December 4 * Summit Focusing on Women and Youth behind the Boycott * Black-Tie Commemorative Event Saturday, December 5 * Ecumenical Service * Panel Discussions and Luncheon * Awards Banquet Sunday, December 6 * Unity Service * Tour of Historic Churches Monday, December 7 * Annual Mass Meeting Reenactment SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.