Day 69 - Montgomery: Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Alabama State Capitol, Dexter Parsonage Museum

I rang the bell and a lady opened the door. She gave me a long heartfelt hug. I felt so warm. This was my welcome to the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church. She proceeded to hug everyone.

This church holds the pulpit from where Reverend Martin Luther King Junior gave his most famous speeches starting at an age of 24 years old, during one of the most violent periods of this state history.

We were at the basement, where there are murals of Rev. King and other members of the church, activists in the Civil Rights Movements. There are also his office and pictures of all the pastors that have served in the church.

Afterwards we went upstairs to the church. Here the same lady had everyone singing songs and clapping their hands. We reviewed dates and titles of the Rev. King's speeches and then we recited passes. Mine was: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." 

Bill touching the pulpit

Afterwards we went back to the basement and we all held hands making a circle. We sang 'we shall overcome TODAY' swaying together. I had a hard time leaving this place. I was so happy. I was so overwhelmed with love and happiness, that I had a hard time holding back tears.

Outside we met two girls from Cullman, north of Birmingham. They were here for the weekend rodeos and one of them was part of the organization. We had heard on the news from the night before that they were going to have a parade for the rodeo.
There was hardly anyone on the streets to greet them, maybe because it was a working day, or no everyone likes rodeo. Nonetheless we stayed, waved and took some pictures.

Montgomery has such big boulevards and streets that it takes a while to cross them. It has the look of a Capitol with imposing buildings in marbles and granite, large squares and some high-risers. On the other end, you can't help noticing that some businesses near the capitol are closed, empty or even falling apart. Large building in bricks with windows boarded up are on sale for a fraction of the price. A restaurant with nice table and all furnished kitchen closed for business.
Later in the evening we drove to another area of town near the Alley and here there's more life with fancy restaurants, sport bars and pizzeria. In fact, we had probably our best vegan meals of our whole trip here in Montgomery Alabama!

We took the tour of the Capitol building just because... it's there and it's free.

We attempted to visit the Dr King's family home, but it was right before closing time.