Trying to nail down a bunch of niggling little details of circumstances and events leading up to the boycott: the kind of details that sometimes get omitted from the history books, but that people who’ve followed, or were involved in the events and times, might recall.
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Like – how much was the bus fare in 1955? Or in 1943, twelve years earlier, when Parks first ran afoul of the same driver? (Parks says he made her pay her fare, then exit the bus to re-board in the rear door, but then drove off without her)
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Where (on what street) was the 1955 arrest made? (I assume the driver stopped the bus and waited on police, gave his statement, then resumed his route – if any of that is inaccurate, please correct me.)
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The bus driver was James F. Blake – but does anyone know the name of the passenger she refused to give up her seat for? Has this been recorded anywhere? (First person to suggest “Forrest Gump” gets pimpslapped)
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Is there a copy of the actual police arrest report available on-line or in a book somewhere?
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I’ve often seen the pictures of her being fingerprinted – but did Rosa Parks get a mug shot? Is this available anywhere?
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What was the name/number of the bus route where this occured? I went here to get some info, but I suspect the bus routes have been changed since 1955. Was it called the “Red Line” in 1955 or did it go by some other name?
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What was the original name of “Rosa Parks Avenue” before it was changed?
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Am I correct in thinking that the Cleveland Courts housing projects is where she lived in the 1950’s?
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Every bio I see says Parks was a seamstress. Where was she employed? Approximately how far was her job from her home?
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When the boycott commenced, how did she get to work? Were their any reprisals against Parks at her job for her part in the boycott?
Switching gears:
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Jo Ann Robinson of the Women’s Political Council mimeographed thousands of fliers urging blacks to stay off the buses for an intial one-day boycott. Do copies of those fliers still exist in book or on-line somewhere? If you can’t provide a link, what was the text?
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What percentage of blacks comprised the bus companies’ passengers? How much money did the Montgomery City bus service lose in the year long boycott? Were there any layoffs of drivers/ mechanics, etc. during the boycott?
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Where is James F. Blake now? Has he expressed any regret for his actions?
Thanking anyone and everyone who can help in advance.
Askia Hale