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[ Birds chirping ]
[ Vehicle approaching ]
[ Siren wails, tires squeal ]
[ Engine stops ]
[ "Strange Fruit" plays ]
♪ Southern trees ♪
[ Dog barks in distance ]
♪ Bearin' strange fruit ♪
[ Barking continues ]
♪ Blood on the leaves ♪
♪ And blood at the roots ♪
♪ Black bodies swingin' ♪
♪ In the southern breeze ♪
♪ Strange fruit hangin' ♪
♪ From the poplar trees ♪
♪ Pastoral scene ♪
♪ Of the gallant sorrow ♪
♪ Them big bulgin' eyes ♪
♪ And the twisted mouth ♪
♪ Scent of magnolia ♪
♪ Clean and fresh ♪
♪ Then the sudden smell ♪
♪ Of burnin' flesh ♪
♪ Crop ♪
>> ♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen ♪ [ Doorbell dings ]
[ Indistinct chatter ]
>> Mrs. Bronson, good morning.
>> Is she in?
>> Nice to see you back.
She is.
>> I have an emergency.
I need to see her right away.
>> Is there something I can do
for you?
>> No, I need to see her.
>> Well, I-I think she's back
here somewhere.
>> Rosa.
>> Hello, Mrs. Bronson.
>> I have a catastrophe on my
hands, and it can only be
entrusted to you.
>> Okay, well, let's take a
look.
Oh.
>> ♪ Comfort and joy ♪
>> Well, don't you worry.
This will not be a problem.
>> Oh, thank you, dear.
You are the most talented woman
in Montgomery, and I would be
lost without you.
>> Well, that is very kind of
you to say.
>> I'm just statin' a fact.
>> Uh, Mrs. Bronson, I've got
something to show you.
Would you mind?
>> Thank you.
>> Oh, of course, of course.
>> I think you'll just love it.
[ "I'm a Woman" plays ]
>> ♪ I can wash out 44 pairs of socks ♪ ♪ And have 'em hangin' out
on the line ♪
♪ I can starch and iron two
dozens shirts ♪
♪ Before you can count from one
to nine ♪
♪ I can scoop up a great big
dipper full of lard ♪
♪ From the drippin's can ♪
♪ Throw it in the skillet,
go out and do my shopping ♪
♪ Be back before it melts
in the pan ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm a woman ♪
♪ W-O-M-A-N ♪
>> It'd look so much better if
you'd just lose some weight.
>> Mama, I tried.
>> I'll go look for a shawl.
>> You look beautiful, miss.
You're gonna be the most beautiful girl at the party. Secret is, how you carry
yourself -- your shoulders back,
your head held high, and smile.
A smile like you're holdin' a
secret.
You'll be a showstopper for
sure.
>> Are we done here?
>> Yes, ma'am.
Should be ready tomorrow at
3:00.
>> Thank you.
Go change.
Got a lot more to do and your
father's waitin'.
>> ♪ Come in, baby ♪
♪ Sit down on my... ♪
[ Bell dings ]
>> Morning, Mr. Parks.
[ Music continues ]
>> Read it.
>> ♪ Right here, pretty baby ♪
♪ Or sit down on my... ♪
>> "Ancient rule justified."
>> Yeah, what do you think about
that?
>> It can't be true, Mr. Parks.
It can't.
>> You know, Emmett Till could have been a Brooklyn Dodger. He could have been the next
Roy Campanella.
You see these people?
They want us playing ball and
entertaining them.
They don't want us to have, uh,
this thing called "justice."
>> ♪ With all my heart and
soul ♪
♪ I'll give you anything I got ♪
>> You're doin' a good job on
that floor, son.
Big day today.
Big day.
>> Thank you, sir.
I'll get back to work.
[ Door closes ]
>> Well, that little nigger boy
got what he deserved.
He had no right to be talkin',
let alone whistlin' at her.
>> That's right.
>> Can you imagine?
That poor woman must have been
terrified!
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Well, I am just grateful to
God that the whole mess is over
and done with and justice has
been served.
>> Well, they had no right to
arrest Mr. Bryant in the first
place.
Protecting his wife's honor is
all he was doin'.
How's that against the law
these days?
>> Well, that boy should have
known his place.
>> After Emmett Till was
murdered, I felt like I saw him
in every young boy I passed.
Who could've imagined that a
sweet, 14-year-old boy would be
dragged from his bed in the
middle of the night, tortured,
killed, and thrown into the
river for allegedly whistlin' at
a white woman?
♪♪
>> Mr. Gray?
>> Mrs. Parks, this is an
unplanned surprise.
I wasn't expecting you to stop
by today.
Please come in. Have a seat.
>> Oh, I hope you don't mind.
>> Of course not.
Have a seat, please.
>> Oh, thank you, Freddy.
>> Take your coat for you. >> It's been a challenging day. >> I'm sure it has been.
[ Telephone rings in distance ]
>> Just thought I could use some
company.
>> Of course. Anytime.
I trust you've, uh...
you've seen this?
>> Mm.
Some white folks at my store
were talking about how the
acquittal is justice.
>> Yeah.
>> I don't understand.
How can those monsters go
unpunished for his murder?
Freddy, I just keep seeing poor
Emmett's face.
It's all beat up.
Mr. Gray, what is the point of a
trial if they can do whatever
they want with complete
disregard for the law?
>> Because the laws of this
country were built to favor the
white man.
I'm afraid it's just as simple
as that.
But I guess that's what I'm
trying to do here.
>> Mm.
>> Even things out a little.
>> Yes, of course.
[ Clock chimes ]
>> Oh, goodness.
I have to run down to the
records office.
>> Oh, go.
>> Could you cover for me,
please?
>> Go on, Freddy.
>> I won't be but longer than 20
minutes.
>> Yeah, go, go, go, go.
[ Telephone rings ]
[ Clears throat ]
Law office.
♪♪
Now, I was trying my best to
concentrate on work, but my mind
was distracted with plans for
the two-day NAACP workshop I was
set to lead that coming weekend.
Now, as secretary of the
Montgomery chapter, I-I was
responsible for a lot.
And these workshops were my
favorite tasks.
>> Till is just the start.
We gonna keep seeing this and
it's gonna get worse because
they've become embolden now.
[ Telephone rings ]
>> Barber shop.
Yes, ma'am. Mr. Parks.
>> Yeah?
>> Telephone for you.
>> All right.
Excuse me just a second.
Hello, hello, hello, hello.
Hello?
>> Hello, dear.
I'm heading to the bus.
Could you pick up a quart of
milk?
>> No problem.
I can pick that up on the way
home.
>> Thank you.
I'll see you soon.
>> Hey, careful out there,
all right?
Love you, too.
[ Chuckles ]
You know who that was.
>> Yes, sir.
>> [ Laughs ]
[ Horn honking ]
♪♪
[ Bus door closes ]
♪♪
[ Brakes screech ]
♪♪
>> Let me have them front seats!
You hear me?
Look, now, y'all need to make it
light on yourself, now, and get
on up, and have them seats.
Come on.
♪♪
Move that sign on back.
Thank you.
There you go.
All right, sir, you can come
ahead on now and move it in.
Why aren't you standing up?
>> I don't think I should have
to.
>> Excuse me.
Are you gonna move?
>> No.
No, I'm not.
[ Indistinct chatter ]
>> Now, listen to me.
If you don't move, I'm gonna
call the police and they'll
arrest you.
You know I'll do it.
>> Well, you may do that then.
>> All right.
♪♪
Yes, operator, I need the
police department, please.
Yes, I have a-a disruptive
passenger on one of my buses.
This is a Cleveland Avenue bus,
and I'm in front of the
Empire Theater.
You can't miss us.
[ Siren wails ]
[ Doors close ]
>> All right, who's makin'
trouble here?
♪♪
>> Why didn't you stand up when
the driver spoke to you?
>> I don't believe I should have
to.
>> And why is that?
>> I'm not sittin' in the white
section.
>> Get on up out this bus now,
you hear?
>> Ma'am, don't make this tough
on yourself.
Come on.
>> Why do you push us around?
>> Law's the law, and you're
under arrest.
♪♪
[ Indistinct chatter ]
♪♪
>> Ma'am, may I make my phone
call now?
♪♪
[ Indistinct chatter ]
♪♪
[ Jazz music plays ]
>> Sorry I'm late.
I got the milk.
A couple of, uh [chuckles]
stragglers at the shop, so...
>> Hello, Raymond.
>> Hey. Good evening.
I got the milk.
Where's Rosa?
>> Well, she's not here.
I thought maybe the two of you
had met up somewhere.
>> No, she...
she called me from work and she
should be home by now.
>> Well, maybe there's some
delay on the road.
♪♪
>> Are you thirsty?
>> Pardon?
>> You've got a drinking spell.
They usually don't give us color
folk a cup till you figure out
you got to ask for it.
Most of them don't work anyway.
But I got one that does.
>> T-Thank you, ma'am. >> What happened to you? How'd you find your way in here?
>> [ Swallows ]
I was arrested on the bus.
>> Some of them bus drivers are
pretty nasty.
You get hurt?
>> No, no.
>> That's good.
Are you married?
>> Yes, I am.
>> Good.
You know, your husband ain't
gonna let you stay in here.
So don't you worry.
>> Are you married, ma'am?
>> Once.
My husband, he...
he passed away a few years back.
But he sure was something else.
Now I'm in here...'cause this fella I was keeping company with thought he could knock me
around.
Problem was, he didn't know me
too well.
He had my mouth bleeding and my
eye nearly swollen shut.
I went out back, grabbed that
hatchet out the shed.
He just laughed.
And then he didn't.
But I've been in here ever since -- 50, maybe 54 days now. >> Why -- Why do long?
>> Told me he'd drop the charges
if I stayed on with him.
I told him I'd rather rot in
jail than to be with a man who
thinks he can beat on me.
>> I don't know that I could be
that brave.
>> I just figure some things are
worth standing up for.
Now, that bus driver, he raise
the hand to you?
>> No.
He moved the sign to the white section and I refused to give up my seat.
>> You in here, talk about me being brave. Sounds like what you did was
brave enough for the lots of us.
♪♪
Give me your hand, sister.
♪♪
You gonna be all right.
>> [ Sniffles ]
[ Telephone rings ]
>> Hello? >> Mama, it's Rosa. Is Parks there?
>> Honey, where are you?
Oh, my God.
Did they beat you, honey?
>> Rosa.
>> Hi.
I'm okay, but I-I need you to
come get me out of jail.
>> I'll be there as soon as I
can.
♪♪
>> Yes, I'm holding for...
That's right.
Mrs. Rosa Parks.
Well, what's the charge?
Hello?
♪♪
Hello?
♪♪
[ Telephone rings ]
>> Clifford, Mr. Nixon's on the
phone.
He said it's an emergency.
♪♪
>> Mr. Nixon.
>> Good evening, officer.
My name is Clifford Durr.
I'm Mrs. Parks' attorney.
>> I saw.
[ Telephone rings ]
>> Yes, sir. It is.
>> All right, you all sit down.
We'll get to you.
[ Ringing continues ]
[ Indistinct chatter ]
♪♪
[ Door buzzes open ]
>> [ Gasps ]
Are you all right?
They didn't hurt you, did they?
>> No, no. I'm -- I'm fine.
>> I'm Mrs. Parks' attorney.
>> You all right?
>> Yes, I'm fine.
Thank you all so much for
comin'.
>> Raymond is on his way.
>> You'll need to sign here.
Yeah.
[ Door closes ]
>> Oh.
>> You all right?
>> Yes.
>> We paid her bail.
Court date set for Monday.
She's free until then.
>> We've been waiting for this
opportunity.
And, Parks, she's perfect.
And you know it.
Rosa, you know ain't nothing
gonna change around here unless
we have a movement.
>> Too dangerous.
Dangerous, Nixon.
>> Three weeks ago, they
determined it was illegal for a
transportation company to impose
their segregation rules on
interstate transportation.
Oh, come on, yeah.
>> And all of that was a great
victory.
Does not speak to the rules of
the city.
What we need is a fully
integrated city buses.
>> What are you all talkin'
about?
>> Claudette Colvin,
Aurelia Browder, Susie McDonald,
and a host of other Negro women
who've been arrested or removed
from city buses for not giving
up their seats to white
passengers.
We've been trying to plan a bus
boycott for nearly a year now.
>> And you want Rosa to get
mixed up in that?
>> We want Rosa to lead the boycott. >> No.
No. No.
>> Y'all want to put my wife up
in the front of this thing?
Put a target on her back?
Huh?
>> You were lucky that they
didn't beat you last night.
>> No, you're gonna have to find
someone else.
>> There is no one else.
>> Well, how can that be?
>> Because we've been looking
for an upstanding citizen with a
good job, from -- from a decent
family to represent our cause.
>> Well, why can't some of those
other women -- why can't they
lead it?
>> Look, those other women had
issues.
One of them was an unwed teen.
The other one had an alcoholic
husband.
Another woman just, quite
frankly, she just wasn't strong
enough to lead.
>> My question is, are you gonna
be safe, Rosa?
Is your mother going to be safe
if you go out here threatening
their laws, their way of life?
They're hangin' people for less
than this.
>> And they will continue to do
that...unless we stand up
against them...
together.
♪♪
>> Go outside and have a smoke.
♪♪
That's my wife.
[ Door opens, closes ]
>> [ Sighs deeply ]
What would she have to do?
>> Well, first thing is we would -- would need to protest her unjust arrest by a one-day
bus boycott, hmm?
>> And what good would that do?
>> [ Chuckles ]
We colored folks, we make up,
what, 70% of the riders in all
of Montgomery?
>> That's nearly 40,000 riders.
>> Mm-hmm.
So that's 10 cents each way.
That's, what, $4,000 one way,
$8,000 a day.
>> They'll listen then.
>> You know white folks don't --
>> No, no, no, no. No, no!
We cannot be concerned about
what white folks think and do.
We can't keep living like that.
I mean, it's 1955, and we're
still following the same rules
as Jim Crow in the 1890s!
You tell me -- You tell me why
is it we...can choose to sit
anywhere we want in
New York City, in Los Angeles,
in Chicago, but we can't choose
where we want to sit in the old
city where we were born.
[ Train whistle blares ]
Rosa...we either stand to fight
or we remain slaves.
Excuse me.
[ Door closes ] [ Insects chirping ]
>> How they gonna do a boycott? Hmm? People sufferin'.
People's life is hard enough.
They're not gonna stick their
neck out for anybody.
>> This isn't that different
from all those years you worked
trying to get justice for the
Scottsboro Boys.
>> Mm.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> No, that was different.
>> We'd be organized with about
a force of people behind us --
>> We? Who's the "we"?
What "we" you talking about?
The "we" that's gonna escort you
to work in the morning?
The "we" that's gonna walk you
home at night while I'm still at
the shop?
The "we" that's gonna put
24-hour security detail on our
home?
>> Parks, when I saw those police officers walking towards me, I knew I should have been
afraid, but...
I wasn't.
♪♪
I saw young Emmett's face.
>> Mm.
>> And...all the women that were
there before me.
>> All those women who were
there before you are not you,
Rosa.
They are not my wife.
Rosa, you know I understand.
I do.
♪♪
Darling, what you did tonight
made me so proud.
And I know that...
I could sit here and try to
frighten you, but you don't
scare so good.
♪♪
>> Parks...
today I made a choice.
♪♪
You would've made the same
choice.
♪♪
Okay.
Let's begin.
>> We need to get the word out.
[ Telephone ringing ]
>> Fred Gray.
>> Hello, Mr. Gray?
I heard about what happened to
Mrs. Parks.
Is she all right?
>> I don't know.
>> [ Sighs ]
You know, we have talked about
this long enough.
The time for a boycott is now,
Mr. Gray.
>> Yes.
I just spoke with Mr. Nixon
and -- and -- and we're ready to
put things in motion.
>> Good!
As president of the political
women's council, I have already
alerted the members and we are
ready to put our money and our
support behind this.
>> Thank you.
A bus boycott is to be held on
Monday, December 5th, same day
as Rosa's trial.
[ Pencil scratching ]
>> I will be able to have the
handbills printed up announcing
it tonight.
>> I'm sorry. Tonight?
If we're going to do this, we
will need to notify the entire
Negro community of Montgomery.
>> Don't worry.
Just leave it to us.
>> Mrs. Robinson, you'll need to
be cautious.
>> I'll be in touch.
[ Chuckles ]
♪♪
Hello, Daisy?
Professor Robinson here.
I have a project I need you to
help me with.
Meet me on campus in 15 minutes?
Uh-huh. And bring Mabel.
[ Knock on door ]
♪♪
>> E.D., is she all right?
>> She's fine. So, what we got?
>> Listen, I've been thinking.
And the fact is, some people are
gonna be resistant if we say
this protest is connected to our
chapter of the NAACP.
>> Because they cowards.
>> That may be so, but
chastising them will not get
them on our side.
E.D., people are just trying to
live their lives.
>> What do you propose, that we
hold their hands, as not to
disturb their slumber?
Damn it, man, we are here
because no one is standing up.
>> Listen, we need to form a new
and -- and separate committee.
That way, any negative backlash
won't reflect on the NAACP.
>> Huh.
Hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, we...
we need the ministers.
They can get the word out to
their congregation.
>> Yes.
Yes, that's what we need.
>> Mm-hmm, and we need the
papers to cover it.
>> No, now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
That -- That might be dangerous.
If we tell them this early, they
may attack.
It could shut us down before we
even get started.
>> Yeah, no, I have a friend
that can help.
>> This time of night?
>> Yeah, he's a writer.
He never sleeps.
♪♪
Joe, look here, I need you to
meet me tomorrow at
Union Station, 6:45 sharp.
♪♪ >> Come along, ladies. Come along!
>> Are we supposed to be here?
>> Shh! Come on!
>> Okay.
Okay.
♪♪
[ Door creaks open ]
♪♪
>> Come along, ladies.
♪♪
>> When I was a little girl, we
didn't have a school bus, so
we'd walk two miles along the
side of the road every morning
and afternoon.
And the white children...would
ride past us in their big, shiny
bus.
And they'd throw trash outside
the window trying to hit us.
So...when we heard them coming toward us, we'd step off of the side of the road and into the
field where the apple cores and
bottles couldn't reach us.
♪♪
I'm not stepping off the road
anymore.
Mnh-mnh.
Not for anyone.
[ Inhales, exhales deeply ]
♪♪
[ Typewriter keys clacking ]
>> "Yet again, a Negro woman has
been removed from a city bus and
jailed for refusing to give her
seat to a white man."
>> "Refusing to give her seat to
a white man."
>> "How long before it is your
mother or sister that is dragged
from a bus against her will?
It is time for the Negro to
demand the rights that we
deserve."
[ Typewriter dings ]
>> "Deserve."
>> "Therefore, on Monday..."
>> Monday?
>> Monday, the day of the trial.
>> "The day of the trial."
>> "All Negroes stay off all
Montgomery buses."
>> "Off Montgomery buses."
>> "Do not ride the buses to
school or work.
The time for boycott is now!"
>> "Boycott is now."
>> "The time for a boycott is
now.
And Monday, December 5th is the
date."
[ Typewriter dings ]
Okay, done.
>> Mrs. Robinson, are you sure
we're not gonna get in trouble
from the school for doin' this?
>> No, baby, I'm not.
>> Well, at least if I get
kicked out of school for this,
it'll be worthwhile.
>> Good!
Now, ladies, let's get this old
doll running.
♪♪
>> Three days. Three days is not a time to pull this off.
>> But three days is all we got.
>> People are gonna be nervous.
Though you need to present it
calmly.
>> And just what is it you're
trying to say?
>> That your temper can often
get the best of you.
>> Good.
Can't you see the smoke?
>> Oh, I see the smoke.
>> All right, well, that's good
because you will be fooling
yourself, Mr. Gray, if you think
that people don't need to see a
blazin' fire to realize the hell
in a burnin' house.
>> And you're the fire.
>> That's right.
I am the fire.
And Mrs. Parks was the spark.
Now, I'm gonna fall over to
Mr. A. Philip Randolph to get
him on board.
>> There's a lot at stake over
the next few days, Mr. Nixon.
>> Oh, Mr. Gray...
there is a lot at stake tonight.
♪♪
>> So, we'll come back and
finish tomorrow.
You got everything?
Get those boxes.
Okay, then, ready? Okay.
>> Come on, Daisy, let's go.
♪♪
[ Door creaks open ]
>> Come on, ladies.
Keep your heels up. Good.
♪♪
Come, come, come.
♪♪
Come along, ladies.
♪♪
Stay.
Let me handle this.
I'll talk to him.
>> Can I help you?
>> Good evening, sir.
I'm Professor Robinson, English
department.
>> It's awful late, Professor.
>> Oh, it certainly is.
But it's finals week and, um,
you know how things go.
You have a good evening.
Ladies, come along!
Come along.
♪♪
[ Birds chirping ]
♪♪ [ Train whistle blares in distance ]
♪♪
>> There'd never been a bus
boycott before, so we had to do
it right.
But I couldn't help feel
responsible if anyone was to get
hurt.
Unfortunately, change doesn't
come without risk.
♪♪
I knew that if we did it right,
we could make a real impact here
in Montgomery, and maybe even
throughout the South.
The world would be watchin' and
there was no way we could turn
back now.
We all prayed for strength.
And then we got to work.
>> Ladies! Come along!
>> Come on, Mabel.
>> Oh! [ Chuckles ]
>> Hey, pretty lady.
>> Hi.
I hope I see you on Monday.
>> Mabel!
>> I'm coming!
>> It's good to see you,
Randolph.
>> You too.
>> Listen, I heard what happened
with Sister Parks.
Was she harmed?
>> Oh, no, no, no. All is well. She has agreed to allow us to use her as a test case to launch
a bus boycott.
>> Now, look, we need to take
this opportunity to make a stand
in this city.
And we need your help to do it.
>> Well, I'm familiar with what
you were able to do with the
Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car
Porters Union.
That's a big task of national
strength.
>> Well, the time we have for
the size of the task at hand,
the city of Montgomery can feel
as big as the whole world if we
don't get the right help.
>> So, what is your plan?
>> Mobilize every single Negro
citizen in Montgomery to boycott
the city buses on Monday.
>> Startin' with your
congregation.
>> But none of it will work
unless we can get every single
one of the 50,000-plus Negro
citizens in Montgomery to join
us.
>> 50,000.
>> Mm-hmm.
Well, you have my support.
But I know a young reverend
you'll want to meet.
>> Hmm?
[ Engine starts ]
>> I've been mentoring him since
he arrived from Birmingham about
seven months ago.
Some folks were nervous on
account of him being so young.
Five minutes into his first
sermon ended any doubt.
And God has blessed this man
with a gift.
And he can get his congregation
to follow him wherever he leads.
You can trust me on that.
[ Door opens ]
♪♪
Brother King.
>> More than 70% of the bus riders in Montgomery are Negroes.
If we don't ride, we affect the
only thing they care about the
most.
>> Money.
>> That's very true.
We all know how money can sway
even the most stubborn of heart,
hmm?
Tell me, what exactly do you
want from this boycott?
>> Equal rights as citizens to
sit wherever we please.
Common courtesy.
And that they hire Negro
drivers.
>> A bus boycott has never been
done before.
>> Mm.
>> Well, we will be the first.
>> Hmm.
>> Which is why we need to be
well-organized.
This is an opportunity for us to
put this city on notice.
>> One thing that I've learned
is that violence leads to more
violence and little change, so
my question to you is this --
Can you assure me this will be a
peaceful protest?
>> Look, we're not looking for
trouble, but we can't speak for
the police, hmm?
They have been after our
citizens with a vengeance and
things have only gotten worse
since they killed Emmett Till.
>> That's right.
>> They want violence and
disorder.
That's how they prove their
misconceptions of us.
Now, I've not been in Montgomery
for very long, but these are
some of the most restrictive
segregation laws I've ever
encountered.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> If this peaceful
demonstration is a success here,
there's no telling what it can
do for our nation as a whole.
>> Well, we're planning a
community meeting.
We're organizing.
>> Have it here.
7:00 this evening.
>> Thank you, brother.
Thank you.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> Thank you, Mrs. Marshall.
Mrs. Campbell, please.
Mrs. Robinson here.
Is your committee meeting still
happening this evening?
Oh, good.
Yes, we are launching a peaceful
protest, but we do not know how
the authorities will respond to
this, so we need to be prepared.
Oh, that's such a good amount.
Thank you so much.
Oh, yes, thank you.
I'll see you there.
♪♪
>> We have been threatened and
treated unjustly, so it wasn't
gonna be easy to get more people
in our community to join us.
We were running out of time.
>> So, you know, this is
Pastor Johnson.
>> Okay.
>> Does he seem good?
>> No, no, no, Pastor Johnson.
He can be a little...you know,
tough around the edges.
Oh, good brother!
We just need a few minutes of
your time, Pastor Johnson.
>> Yes.
>> How you doing?
>> Pastor Johnson.
>> E.D. Nixon.
>> Hey, how you doing,
Mr. Nixon?
>> All right, all right.
>> Not certain if you heard, but
another Negro woman was arrested
on a bus last night.
>> Yes, yes.
I heard she was sitting in the
white section.
>> Uh, no, sir.
She most certainly was not.
She was sitting in the colored
section and she was told to
move.
>> Well, then, she should have
moved!
>> Uh...no, sir.
It was her right not to move.
>> Pastor Johnson, we're --
we're here for your support.
>> Mm-hmm.
>> And that of your congregation
for a one-day bus boycott this
coming Monday.
>> Boycott?
>> Yes, sir.
>> [ Laughs ]
Looky here.
Y'all serious?
What do you think will come of
that?
>> [ Chuckles ] If we don't take
a stand and protest their
regular practice --
>> With all due respect, we
don't want no trouble.
>> Don't you see if we just stay
laying like sleeping dogs,
hoping nothing gets disturbed,
there will never be any real
change?
>> I wish you luck. I certainly do, but I'm sorry. You'll have to leave me and my
flock out of it.
>> E.D.?
>> What?
>> Hold up.
Nixon!
>> What?!
>> [ Chuckles ]
You have to try to be a little
more understanding.
>> [ Laughs ] Why, Randolph,
why?
You just tell me why.
What good is it gonna do with
a turncoat like him?
I know why these ministers and
how they were bought off to keep
things as they are.
I bet he got that tacky-ass suit
from one of his supporters in
the mayor's office.
No, thank you, sir.
No, thank you.
♪♪
>> Mr. Leon, get one of those to every customer. Make sure that they're very
careful because we don't
want these so-called authorities
making trouble before we get
this thing off the ground, you
understand?
>> ♪ Yes, for likely, sure as
you please ♪
>> Hey, everything gonna be all
right.
Any crackers come in here, ask
you what's in the box, you tell
them it's Christmas cards.
>> ♪ Whoa, I woke up this
morning ♪
♪ Yes, for likely, sure as... ♪
>> May I speak to you for a
second?
Why don't you go ahead and
grab Wilson?
How you doing?
My name is Philip Randolph.
And we're out here today, we're
trying to...
>> Morning, sir.
Is the Reverend in?
>> Uh, yes, sir.
That would be me --
Reverend Wilson.
How may I help you?
>> [ Laughs ] I'm sorry.
I didn't mean any disrespect.
>> Oh, listen.
No need to apologize, sir.
As you can see, the Lord's work
comes in many forms.
>> Yes, that's right.
>> What can I do for you?
>> Well, uh, we -- we sure could
use your assistance, now.
>> Well, not much I can do with just one handbill. I'm gonna need far more to pass
out for Sunday services.
>> [ Laughs ]
That means you'll help us?
>> Oh, yes, sir. Absolutely.
Listen, my flock might be small,
but we sure are mighty.
>> Well, we're having a-a
planning meeting this evening at
the Dexter Avenue Church.
>> Reverend King's new home?
>> That's right.
>> Let me tell you something --
gifted that one.
Yes, sir.
So, what time?
>> 7:00, and I'll make sure you
have all the handbills you need
there.
>> Count me in, son.
Let me tell you something.
I've been praying for anybody,
somebody, to step up.
>> Yes, sir.
>> And what's about to happen
makes this fat, old preacher
proud.
I'm gonna see you there.
>> Yes, sir.
>> All right.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> You take care.
>> All right, thank you so much!
Thank you so much.
>> Good, good, good?
>> Randolph!
>> All right.
Good job.
>> Mrs. Parks?
I think you remember
Mr. Langford.
>> Yes, sir.
Nice to see you again.
>> It's nice to see you again.
>> Uh, Charles has agreed to
join me in court on Monday as my
co-counsel.
>> Thank you so much.
>> It's my pleasure to help.
And, uh, I hope we lose.
[ Both chuckle ]
>> So, you intend to lose my
case?
>> What he means is that our
strategy is to lose your case
because we can't make much of an
impact in the lower court
system.
>> When we lose, we can then
appeal to a higher court.
The higher court means more
exposure.
More exposure is a good
strategy.
>> I know.
I follow Mr. Langford.
It's hard to change laws unless
they reach the highest court in
the country.
I do try to keep up, now.
Excuse me.
[ Ringing ]
Hey, Randolph, how's it going? >> Yeah, good, good. It's filling up.
Listen, Montgomery Improvement
Association.
>> Yeah. What's that?
>> That's what I'm gonna call
the committee.
>> Yeah.
Yeah, I like it.
It's good.
Form a board this evening and
make sure you get King involved.
>> All right, I'll -- I'll try.
How you doing?
>> Oh, I'm waiting on an old
friend.
Hey, look, um, I return tomorrow
evening.
>> All right.
Be safe, my friend.
>> Mm-hmm. You too.
[ Train whistle blares ]
>> Mr. Nixon? >> Joe. We sure need your help.
[ Paper rustles ]
I want to put this in the paper.
>> A bus boycott? >> That's right. ♪♪
>> We've been friends for a long
time.
So I'm gonna tell you this
straight.
Montgomery is not ready for
this.
The tradition of segregation is
too deeply rooted in the culture
here.
>> Oh, just because they used to
it...don't make it right.
You, of all people, know that.
>> What we see as injustice,
what we know to be injustice --
to them it's just heritage.
Hell, they think it's generous
that they let you ride their
buses.
>> We need our side in the
morning papers, on the front
page.
Joe, this is serious.
I need to know if you will help
us.
♪♪
>> I can't guarantee the front
page.
>> Uh, all right.
>> I'll do my best.
>> Thank you, and we will be in
touch.
♪♪
>> Good evening, everyone. >> Good evening, Reverend. >> Good evening.
>> Good evening.
>> I'd like you to bow your
heads and join me in prayer.
Lord, we come to you with the
hope that you lift us up and
impart onto us the courage to
stand for what it right.
[ Crowd murmurs in agreement ]
We are forever giving thanks,
love, and praise...
[ Crowd murmurs in agreement ]
...to you, Almighty Father.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
>> In the name of Jesus.
>> Amen.
>> We want to thank everyone for
coming out this evening.
We have matters to discuss.
We will begin with
Sister Rosa Parks, whose most
recent experience has led us all
here today.
Sister Parks.
♪♪
>> Good -- Good evening.
[ Feedback ]
♪♪
Last evening, I was told to move
out my seat in the segregated
section of the Cleveland Avenue
bus for the comfort of a white
gentleman.
Now it -- it wasn't that he was
ill, elderly, or handicapped.
He was just white and that was
enough to make him more worthy
of a seat than me.
[ Sighs ]
Now, I -- I understand that some
of you might be thinking that
I'm just up here trying to stir
up trouble and, well, yes, I...
I suppose I am.
But I -- I have been the
Montgomery NAACP chapter
secretary for eight years now,
and I personally have spent too
much time logging our civil
rights complaints in these here
notebooks that have grown
larger year after year.
The fear and indignity that they
put us through must not dissuade
us from demonstrating for our
basic rights.
There comes a time in our lives
when we will reach our limits,
when we have to move past
ourselves and our small comforts
and choose to make our voices
heard.
When that bus driver started
yelling and threatening me...
[voice breaking] I saw young
Emmett's face.
And I thought, "How could we
live in a world where a smile or
a whistle can equal a death
sentence?"
Yes, i-it is far easier to have
our heads down and just keep
going on with our business, but
that will only give them the
power to continue to keep us
down.
They continue to limit our
rights.
They continue to call into
question our very citizenship.
But they will only continue if
we, as a community, do not take
a stand against them.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
Thank you.
[ Sniffles ]
>> Now, come Sunday, we need you
to encourage your congregations
to join us.
Huh? Amen?
>> Amen.
>> And this is a good plan with
the potential to create real
change in Montgomery.
There will be no need for picket
signs and rallies.
We simply won't use public
transportation.
>> And how are people supposed
to get to work?
You want them to lose their
jobs?
>> No, sir.
We-- We're setting up carpools,
a-and we ask that those who work
close to their jobs from their
home, we ask that you walk.
>> And now we have work to do,
the first of which is to set up
the transportation committee and
Mrs. Campbell has been gracious
enough to volunteer her husband,
transportation engineer
Mr. Alfonso Campbell.
>> Yeah, thank you!
>> I should be saying we hope he
accepts this post.
All right, then.
He is going to need some
volunteers to assist him in one
of the most important challenges
of this evening.
All right, you all, follow me.
Thank you, Mr. Campbell.
>> Our intent is to have a
peaceful protest, but if things
get out of hand, we'll need more
assistance with the legal fund.
If anyone has legal experience,
please follow me.
♪♪
>> Thanks. ♪♪ [ Telephone ringing ]
♪♪
Anybody hear about a boycott?
Why am I just reading about it
in the paper?!
♪♪
>> Hey!
♪♪
[ Telephone rings ]
>> How's it coming?
>> It's done.
We have pick-up and drop-off
locations along the existing bus
routes and a list of volunteer
drivers.
Also, all 18 Negro-owned cab
companies have agreed to charge
passengers 10 cents a ride,
same as the buses.
>> This is real good,
Mr. Campbell.
Mm-hmm. Real good, indeed.
>> Thank you, sir.
♪♪
[ Knocks on window ]
♪♪
>> We have received some
generous donations for the legal
fund.
>> Well, we may very well need
it and more.
I'm concerned that this one day
is not sufficient enough to make
a significant impact.
>> Then we continue.
>> Well, we all gettin' this
much pushback for just one day,
how can we continue?
>> Do not underestimate us,
Mr. Nixon.
We are educated, independent
with funds, and, in some states,
more influential than the white
folks.
Oh, this will work.
Sooner or later, everybody will
get on board.
You'll see.
>> [ Laughs ]
You ain't no joke, are you,
Mrs. Robinson?
>> No, sir. She is not.
>> Hey!
Excuse me.
[ Breathing heavily ]
We got a problem.
>> Bring it here, boy.
Come on.
>> It's out. They know. "Reports of fear amongst the
Negro community, and they are
requesting police protection
against the Negro goon
squads..."
>> What are they talking about?
>> "...which reportedly have
been organized to intimidate the
other Negroes who want to ride
the bus come Monday."
>> Oh, that's a lie!
I mean, there's no such thing.
>> You said your friend would
help us.
That there? That's not helping.
>> Joe did not write this
article, Randolph.
This is from the
"Alabama Journal," not
"Montgomery Advertiser."
>> How much could it hurt us?
>> A lot.
People tend to believe what they
read in print, even if it ain't
true.
>> Especially if they want it to
be true.
>> Well, now, let's not get
ahead of ourselves.
This, though disappointing, is
not all that unexpected.
>> And who knows?
This may very well help us.
God works in mysterious ways.
>> Yes, he does.
[ Telephone rings ]
>> Excuse me, sir.
>> What?
Give me some good news, Nelson.
>> Um, we've been getting calls
from employers that their Negro
domestics are not going to work
on Monday because they're afraid
to ride the buses on account of
the boycott.
>> [ Scoffs ] How many calls?
>> A lot.
Phones are still ringing.
>> [ Scoffs ] That's great.
That's just what we need three
weeks before Christmas -- riots
in the streets because of those
damn...
Get me, uh, what's his name,
who's in charge at the bus
company and the commissioner.
>> Yes, sir.
>> And then the mayor.
♪♪
>> How are you?
>> I'm fine.
This is incredible.
>> How was work yesterday?
>> Oh, it was fine.
From what I could tell, word of
Monday hasn't reached them, so
we're good on that account.
>> Are you headed home now?
Should we get you a ride?
>> No, no, I'm -- I'm here to
stay and work.
>> Rosa.
[ Telephone ringing ]
>> Hi.
>> How are you?
>> I'm fine.
>> Please, let me get your coat.
>> Oh, thank you.
No, I'm fine. I'm fine.
You can tell everyone here
that -- All these folks in here
and no one could answer the
phone.
Law office of Freddy Gray.
[ Telephone rings ]
>> All right, as y'all know,
we've been getting calls all day
about a boycott.
Now that it's being reported
that Negroes are afraid of
what's gonna happen to them if
they break ranks and get on a
bus, come Monday, we need two
police escorts for each bus
driving in and out of the
neighborhoods.
And also need additional patrols
at all the bus stops.
Now, that means overtime, so
make sure you get with your
supervisors for your schedules.
Hey, hear this now.
I ain't letting no mess of
niggers disrupt our fine city.
I'm making myself clear?
If we gotta, we bring out the
hoses and the dogs.
>> I'm going to head on.
Patrick and Raymond will be here
any minute now.
♪♪
>> Mrs. Parks.
I know you don't particularly
like talking about how you're
feeling, but are you nervous?
Because if you're feeling
uneasy, just know that we are
all here for any --
>> Mr. Gray.
Please don't confuse my quiet
for lack of concern.
Yes, I'm anxious.
Now, you and my husband are the
only two people who know that,
and I'm just saying that so you
don't think I'm crazy.
I said it before, I do mean it.
All of this is bigger than me.
That's what keeps me moving.
Good night, Mr. Gray.
We're 40 hours away from the
boycott.
Get a wash in...
>> [ Chuckles ]
>> ...before I have to follow
you into court on Monday.
>> Good night, Mrs. Parks.
>> Good night, Mr. Gray.
[ Banging on door ]
[ Banging continues ]
>> E.D. >> What is it? What happened?
>> [ Chuckles ]
That Joe Asbell...really
came through.
Wrote one hell of an article,
citing all the past arrests,
past citations, and even
explaining that we are planning
a peaceful protest.
>> Front page.
>> Didn't you want this run on
Monday after it was done?
>> Oh, yes, yes.
But I thought that small, old
negative article was gonna
hurt us.
But instead [chuckles] we got
twice as many calls of support
than we had before.
This right here -- this is gonna
reach everyone, all the peoples.
[ Laughs ]
You really started something,
Rosa.
Yes, sir.
By the way, you ready for
tomorrow?
>> We're ready.
>> What you're doing for us
takes a very special kind of
courage.
All right. All right, now.
>> This is the new, condensed handbill. Looks like we're having a lot
more support than we had
expected, with many church
leaders promising to speak to
their congregation during
Sunday ser-- Mama.
>> [ Sighs ]
My mother was five years old
when slavery ended, but she
didn't see much change.
They lived on the same
plantation that she was born on.
No money, no property.
Living was about surviving.
And that's all.
And slavery -- slavery was
imprisonment, and every part of
their lives was at the mercy of
others -- when to rise, when to
sleep, when to eat, when to
relieve themselves, when and if
to live or die.
So, you see, nowadays people --
people look at what they have
and they say, "Yes, this is
enough.
On this, I can -- I can get by."
And that's because they remember
what it was like in the past and
they remember that this is much
better than living in chains.
So, you see, not everyone is
going to step up and stand by
you.
>> But they must see that these
injustices are not just a
bother, they're an impediment to
our future.
If we don't stand up against
them now, we will remain where
we are today.
We have to move forward.
>> Rosa, hear me.
Your cause is an honorable one.
Your cause is a worthy one.
Our people need women like you.
But you are my only daughter and
if anything happens to you, my
life will end.
I love you and I don't know what
cause could be bigger than you
are to me.
>> I understand.
I-I do, but -- but this is who
you taught me to be.
>> I am afraid for you, but...
from fear, we rise.
♪♪
[ Sighs ] All right.
>> Mama was right.
From fear, we do rise.
And through example, we inspire.
♪♪
People don't always have the
courage to do what's right or
stand with what's right when
they think that they are alone,
but courage can come when we
stand together...as one.
♪♪
[ Indistinct conversations ]
♪♪
>> My name is Raymond Parks, and
my wife, Mrs. Rosa Parks, is the
defendant.
Thank you, officer. >> I was praying for a guilty verdict, even though I knew I
was innocent.
>> All rise.
>> We needed to lose here in
order to win in the higher
court.
>> Yes, sir. Um, well, we got a call saying that there was a colored woman
sitting in the white section on
the bus.
>> We had the seats marked
and -- and -- and had an
unexpected group of -- of
Caucasians come in and -- and I
needed to make some room in the
se-- in the bus and asked, you
know, for them to make some
room.
And everybody did except her.
>> Bus driver, Mr. Blake, got
off and he pointed out the
defendant.
>> Had a discussion with the
driver and stepped on and
removed [clears throat]
removed the woman.
>> Mr. Blake confronted the
defendant.
She became indignant.
>> Not argumentive.
She never really raised her
voice.
We never had an argument.
She just wouldn't do what I
asked her to do.
>> And I -- And I would say she
was defiant.
>> No, sir.
Uh, verbal force, maybe, but
she -- she ultimately
cooperated.
>> I'd seen her on the bus
before, you know, but never had
any trouble out of her before.
>> Why do we have to disrupt the
peace of society?
I do not understand that.
>> Just kind of following
orders.
[ Indistinct chatter ]
>> Will the defendant please
rise?
Mrs. Rosa Parks, you are hereby
found guilty of failure to
comply with Chapter 6, Section
11 of the Montgomery City Code.
I hereby fine you...$10.
Pay the clerk.
[ Gavel bangs ]
♪♪
[ Insects chirping ] >> Want to start off by saying good evening...
>> Good evening.
>> ...to all the brothers and
sisters.
Those of you joining us for the
first time in this house of the
Lord, Holt Baptist Church, thank
you for coming tonight.
This is a special night not only
in this church, not only in this
community, but we're hoping that
tonight begins something
special.
[ Applause ]
Something -- Something that will
affect us, our children, and our
grandchildren.
So, please, show some love and
pay very, very close attention
to the words you're about to
hear tonight from the man I'm
about to bring up here --
Reverend King.
[ Cheers and applause ]
>> Evening. We have... brothers and sisters --
we have, as a people, been on a
journey, a journey that, for a
great many years of our history,
has passed through the valley of
the shadow of death.
[ Crowd murmurs in agreement ]
For much of that time, we have
been bound in chains.
We crossed an ocean in chains.
We arrived in chains.
>> Hmm, come on. Preach.
>> And although it has not been
that long ago that we were
relieved of our shackles, we now
live in chains.
[ Crowd murmurs in agreement ]
You may not feel the clasp
around your ankles, you may not
feel the binding of your wrists,
but I am here to tell you that
until we are afforded true
freedom, until the water
fountains of Alabama, until the
buses of Montgomery no longer
separate their citizens by the
color of their skin...
[ Crowd murmurs in agreement ]
...our journey to freedom is not
yet complete.
This journey will not be an easy
one.
It is a journey that we must
take together...for we have only
gotten this far because of the
sacrifices of those who came
before us.
I stand here tonight in this
most holy of places...
because Mrs. Rosa Parks was
brave enough to set aside her
own fears and take a stand
against injustice.
[ Crowd murmurs in agreement ]
[ Applause ]
Today, we stood side by side in peaceful protest against the discriminatory practices of this
city's bus rules.
But it does not end here.
We must continue this journey,
for there comes a time when we
can no longer bear the weight of
the oppressor upon our backs.
There comes a time when we can
no longer stand idly by waiting
for the tides of change to pull
us into our freedom.
There comes a time when, even
with the burdening weight of
injustice upon us, we must
gather the strength to stand.
And in standing, we will break
these chains and we will rise in
the light of our true freedom.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
>> Until that moment, it truly
did not dawn on me that my one
act had created a shift in the
tapestry of this nation.
And with the brilliant
leadership of the young
Reverend King, who would rise as
Dr. King, that very night helped
launch the civil rights
movement, which changed our
country and inspired the world.
♪♪