Freedom Train

April 3, 1963 Pt. 3

April 3, 1963 Pt. 3

"Birmingham will not tolerate racial agitation that would result in disorder and violence. The demonstrators are acting under a mistaken assumption that a change in government would produce public confusion and serve their completely selfish purposes," Mayor Boutwell spoke into the camera. "The leaders of this movement will eventually fold their tents and walk away, leaving behind the problems that they have created. That's what these so-called activists seem to be forgetting."

Annabeth, Sandy and Bobby sat in front of Reeve electric store, arms crossed as they watched the news report on the display of black and white television screens. Their faces held scowls as they listened to a man who had once claimed to sympathize for votes disregard their efforts so coldly.

Their hearts were heavy from watching their peers be arrested, while the three of them followed the same rules and were completely ignored by law enforcement. They were left sitting at the counter long after the last of their group was taken away in handcuffs, unrecognized in the chaos based on the color of their skin.

"What now?" Sandy asks as she turned to Annabeth and Bobby.

"Now..." Annabeth replied with a sigh. "We march."

*~*~*

Terry opened his eyes and lifted his head from the concrete when he heard the cell door open. He watched as ten more black men were shoved into the small square, putting everyone practically shoulder to shoulder in the single holding cell. Another empty cell sat right beside them, but the police didn't care.

"Which counter are you all from?" Henry asked them.

"We're not," one of the boys spoke.

The kid looked to be no older than 16.

"We're from the march," another, even younger kid answered.

"What march?" Terry asked.

"They closed the counter at Pizit's when we sat down."

"Kress and Loveman's, too."

"And Woolworth's," a choir of random voices called out.

"So, we marched toward City Hall. They can't close down the counters there," the first kid continued.

Henry smiled and slapped the kid on the back.

"I suppose they can't." he replied.

*~*~*

The day almost seemed like it would never end. Annabeth followed Bobby inside their hotel room, feet dragging. As soon as she got close enough to a bed, she fell on to it. Bobby smiled and followed her actions, lying next to her on the bed.

"Today was awful," she said as she turned on her side and faced him.

Bobby mirrored her actions so they faced one another.

"It was."

"It's like we're not even there," she muttered. "I want to help them, but it's like we're not even there."

"We're helping," Bobby told her. "Right now, they're just choosing not to see us. But it won't always be that way. Chin up, buttercup. You'll be arrested in no time."

Annabeth couldn't help the tired laugh that escaped her lips. It seemed silly to want to be arrested. Especially since there was such an uncertainty as to when you would be released. She should be grateful that they had overlooked her and her white counterparts. Instead, it almost made her feel dirty. Because wasn't that exactly what they were fighting for? Equality?

"Is that a tear?" Bobby asked, his voice on the edge of panic. "You can't do that to me, A.B. No crying."

Annabeth sniffled and wiped her eyes.

"I think I'm just tired," she replied as she let her eyes close.

"Then get some rest," Bobby whispered, allowing himself to reach out and run his hands over the soft blonde hair that framed her face.

Annabeth couldn't help leaning up into his hand, showing him without words that she enjoyed his touch on her head. It soothed her, distracted her from her day and made her feel visible at the same time.

*~*~*

A/N:

Fact: Boutwell did say pretty much those exact words at some point in time on April 3, 1963, but I may have added a thing or two.

Fiction (maybe): Idk when he said them or how he said them or to who. Maybe it was a press conference. Who knows? Couldn't find specifics... If you know- Let me know... lol

Fact: The lunch counters Pizits, Kress, Lovemans Woolworth's shut their counters down during the sit in and Britt's called police to arrest 21 protestors. The activists who went to the other counters then proceeded to take place in a march to city hall. There's not much info on the April 3 march itself, so I just kind of skipped it without skipping it...haha

Fiction: Don't know how the jailing system worked, especially for the men... I can only theorize what it was like. I've done some research into the women's and I've seen pictures but that's about the extent of my knowledge of prison's in 1960s Alabama...
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