New Park Plan, Fundraisers and Lectures Honor Civil Rights Martyr Viola Liuzzo

Driven by horrific images of “Bloody Sunday” on television, Viola Liuzzo left her home in Detroit in March 1965 to join fight for voting rights in Alabama. She was the only white female killed in the civil rights movement. (Photo via Wikipedia/Creative Commons)

» Get Patch’s daily newsletter and news alerts.

This week, a series of public events and fundraisers will be held to honor slain civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo, the only white female killed in the civil rights movement.

Fifty years after she was killed, a plan has emerged to spruce up the park named in her honor and raise money for a scholarship in her name.

» Read more about the slain civil rights icon here.

Here’s the schedule:

Thursday, April 9

Showing of “Home of the Brave,” a documentary about Viola Liuzzo, Wayne State University Student Center, Ballroom C, 5221 Gullen Mall. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for a scholarship in Liuzzo’s name.

Friday, April 10

A full day of activities at Wayne State University to honor Liuzzo with a posthumous honorary doctorate of law degree, including a program from 1:30-2:30 p.m., followed by the unveiling of a Law School plaque from 2:30-2:45 p.m. and a community reception from 3-4 p.m., all at the School of Law, Partrich Auditorium, 471 W. Palmer at Cass. The ceremonies are open to the public and free, but RSVP is required here.

Saturday, April 11

History professor Michael Placco will offer a historical perspective on Liuzzo at 1 p.m., Macomb Community College, Albert Lorenzo Cultural Center, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township. The lecture is free, but pre-registration is required.

Birthday celebration, 4-6 p.m., at Viola Liuzzo Park, Winthrop and Trojan, in Detroit, free and open to the public.

Sunday, April 12

Members of the Liuzzo family will deliver remarks at worship services, including 9 a.m., Conquering King Independent Missionary Baptist Church, 9146 Van Dyke St., Detroit; and 11 a. m. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4605 Cass Ave., Detroit.

Viola Liuzzo Park fundraiser, 2 p.m., at the Dorothy Turkel House (Frank Lloyd Wright house), 2760 W. Seven Mile, Detroit. Ticket prices range from $60-$1,000 and are available by emailing colettemezza@gmail.com.

Monday, April 13

Lecture by Morris Dees, legal activist and cofounder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which fights hate crimes. His topic: “With Justice for All in a Changing America.” A reception at 5:30 p.m. precedes the 6:30 p.m. lecture at Partrich Auditorium, Wayne State University Law School, 471 W. Palmer at Cass, Detroit.

Tuesday, April 14

Viola Liuzzo Park Association fundraiser featuring civil rights and labor lawyer Dean Robb, an attorney for the Liuzzo family, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gospel Tabernacle Church, 19371 Greenfield Road, Detroit. Admission is $5.