Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks Lies in Honor in Capitol Rotunda

Today, the body of civil rights pioneer, Rosa Parks lies in honor in the Captiol Rotunda in Washington D.C. She is the first woman and only the second African-American to receive the honor, usually reserved for Presidents, soldiers and politicians. Last Monday, Parks died at the age of 92 at her home in Detroit, Michigan. It was 50 years ago this December that Parks refused to relinquish her seat to a white man aboard a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. She was arrested and convicted of violating the state's segregation laws. Her act of resistance led to a 13-month boycott of the Montgomery bus system that would spark the civil rights movement and inspire freedom struggles all over the world. The bus boycott would also help transform a 26-year-old preacher named Martin Luther King Junior to national prominence.

This past weekend, thousands were in Montgomery, Alabama for Parks" memorial service. On Saturday, mourners streamed past her open coffin to pay their last respects. On Sunday a service was held at Paul AME church where Parks was a member at the time of her arrest. Speakers included Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

* Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, speaking October 30, 2005 in Washington DC.
* Rev. Al Sharpton, October 30, 2005 in Washington DC.

Last night, Rosa Parks' body was flown to Washington D.C where it lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda. Public viewing will take place today in the Rotunda and a memorial service will be held for Rosa Parks in D.C at the Metropolitan AME Church. Her funeral will take place on Wednesday in Detroit, Michigan.

* Rosa Parks, interviewed in April 1956 by Pacifica radio station KPFA. The interview comes from the Pacifica Radio Archives.
* Diane McWhorter, author of "Carry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution" which won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize and a young-adult history of the Movement, "A Dream of Freedom"
* Rev. Joseph Lowery, preacher and co-founder of Southern Christian Leadership Conference and chair of Coalition of Peoples Agenda.

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