Claudette Colvin: Late justice for a true Civil Rights icon

Montgomery, Alabama - Rosa Parks' name is still virtually synonymous with the Civil Rights struggle of the '50s and '60s. But months before she made history, another Black woman refused the indignity of having to sit at the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama – her name is Claudette Colvin.

Claudette Colvin speaking during a 2005 interview.
Claudette Colvin speaking during a 2005 interview.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

In March 1955, Colvin didn't budge when she was told by the bus driver to give up her seat to a white woman. She was absurdly charged with, among others, assaulting a cop, and was placed on "indefinite probation," according to a CBS Mornings feature piece.

Over half a century later, the now 82-year-old has seen at least one wrong belatedly righted: her criminal record has been expunged.

"I want to, on behalf of myself and all the judges in Montgomery, offer my apology for the injustice that was perpetrated upon you," said Judge Calvin Williams, who did the honors after flying from Texas to Montgomery to mark the moment, surprising her during the taping of the video.

Melania brought mother to US through immigration process criticized by Trump
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Justice delayed is justice denied, but for Colvin, having her record cleared still sends a powerful message, not least of all because the battle against racism and discrimination is far from over.

"The struggle of being African American is still going on," she told CBS News, "So I want my grandchildren to know that their grandmother stood up for something when she realized that she was an American at a very early age, and she wanted equal rights."

Judge Williams echoed her words: "She stood up for right, and now I'm the beneficiary and by-product of that, and I can correct the wrong that was done to her."

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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