History making moment: Choctaw County, Alabama
Work is underway on the first public effort in one West Alabama county to recognize the Civil Rights Movement. Some are calling the project "bittersweet."
"Today is one of joy and I guess sadness," says Mrs. Carrie Johnson.
She is talking about the construction of a bridge that will be named in honor of her daughter, Margaret Ann Knott in Choctaw County.
"I have tried to get something in her honor since 1989," says Johnson.
In 1971 her 19-year-old daughter was killed while protesting near the courthouse square in nearby Butler. Margaret Ann was part of a group that was protesting the dismissal of nine black teachers, which included the teen's mother.
"I kept praying, 'Lord, don't let me die before it happens,'" says Johnson.
It's been 46 years since the incident and the county is in the final stages of building a bridge near the family's home in Yantley that will be named in honor of Margaret Ann.
"When you look at our history and our heritage we want to make sure that we preserve that," says Michael Armistead, who is the Choctaw County Commission chairman. "By doing this with the bridge, this will be the first time that we've been able to recognize anything from the Civil Rights Movement in Choctaw County."
District 2 Commissioner C.D. "Bud" Ruffin helped spearhead the effort.
"Here in Choctaw County this is one individual who gave up her life while trying to get rid of the divide to fight for equality here in Choctaw County," says Ruffin.
The price tag for the project is about $750,000. This is a cost that's being shared between the state, federal and local governments. If all goes as planned, this bridge will be open just in time for the new year.
"I just thank God for opening up their hearts and allowing this particular thing to happen," says Johnson.
Almost 10 years ago Choctaw County commissioners approved the bridge project. The concrete, two-lane structure is replacing a one lane wooden bridge. The final hurdles for the project were cleared just a few months ago in March. The bridge is located off Choctaw County Road 45 in Yantley.
