Ku Klux Klan bombing survivor opposes US congressional medal ceremony

A woman who survived a 1963 Alabama church bombing that killed her sister and three other black girls in one of most heinous crimes of the civil rights era said she will not accept a medal that the US Congress may award posthumously to the victims.

Instead, Sarah Collins Rudolph says she wants millions of dollars in restitution for her sister's death and for injuries she herself suffered in the bombing on September 15th, 1963, at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, by the Ku Klux Klan.

Ms Rudolph, 12 at the time of the bombing, lost an eye after being hit with shattered glass in the church basement. She spent two months in hospital.

She said she was nearly blinded in the other eye and has post-traumatic stress and memory loss. “I am not going to go get the [medal] until justice has been fulfilled,” said Ms Rudolph (62), during an interview at home in Birmingham.

Two US representatives from Alabama, Democrat Terri Sewell and Republican Spencer Bachus, introduced legislation in January to give Congress’s highest civilian honour to the girls who died in the bombing.

The lawmakers said awarding the congressional gold medal would recognise their sacrifices as well as those of others in Birmingham in the quest for equal rights for black people.

The bombing shocked Americans and helped spur the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex or national origin.

“We should never forget those who marched, prayed and died in the pursuit of civil rights and change,” Ms Sewell said. “The four girls were emblematic of so many who suffered and lost their lives.”

The measure has received backing from two-thirds of House members, or 290 signatures, as required to bring it for a vote, Ms Sewell said.

Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, all 14, and 11-year-old Denise McNair were in a basement toilet with Ms Rudolph, preparing for a service, when the bomb exploded.

Ms Rudolph and family members of the other girls are divided over how to mark the deaths, for which three Klansmen were convicted decades afterwards.

Denise McNair’s family is hoping Congress will approve the medals to bring attention to the tragedy. More than 20 other members of the congregation were injured in the explosion. “We feel that this honour given by Congress means that our great country recognises the sacrifices made for freedom in our country,” said Lisa McNair (49), sister of Denise.

The congressional gold medal was last awarded to those who died in the September 11th, 2001, attacks.

Cynthia Wesley’s brother, Fate Morris, agreed with Ms Rudolph that the families deserved restitution. “That medal won’t do us any good. Only the politicians will get anything out of it,” said Mr Morris, who recalled picking through the rubble after the bombing to look for his sister. – (Reuters)