Gainesville City Commission Celebrates Rosa Parks Day

Press release from City of Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville City Commissioners joined community leaders and neighbors at today’s Rosa Parks Day celebration in historic downtown Gainesville. This annual event recognizes the contributions and continued relevance of Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott on Dec. 1, 1955, fueling the Civil Rights Movement.

Today’s celebration, organized by the Rev. Milford L. Griner and the Rosa Parks Quiet Courage Committee, was held at the City’s Regional Transit System Rosa Parks Transfer Station at 700 SE Third St. Following opening remarks from Interim City Manager Cynthia W. Curry, Mayor Lauren Poe read a proclamation recognizing Parks for her role in ending segregated public transportation across the country.

Today’s regularly scheduled city commission meeting was postponed until 1 p.m. to allow commissioners and staff to attend the 11 a.m. celebration.

Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker, who will receive one of this year’s awards from the Rosa Parks Quiet Courage Committee, will be recognized at a ceremony at PASSAGE Family Church at 3 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 4.