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Conference Bridges Gap Between Youth and Law Enforcement

FBI Birmingham May 15, 2009
  • Public Affairs Specialist Paul E. Daymond (205) 279-1457

BIRMINGHAM, AL—As we measure how far we have come as a country since the Civil Rights Movement era, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Birmingham Division, present a conference that focuses on bridging the gap between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve—especially our youth. The event will feature a 4:00 p.m. public reception and tour of BCRI on Sunday, May 17, 2009. A conference for invited guests is scheduled for Monday, May 18 at BCRI beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Young people were the force behind changing the direction of the Civil Rights Movement and gaining a victory in Birmingham, Alabama. This third collaboration between the organizations focuses on the positive side of the Movement—the successful contributions of youth to the Movement as well as the opportunities existing today for them to work with law enforcement towards building better communities. It will also provide attendees with an opportunity to better understand law enforcements’ role, their commitment to remembering the past and learning from it, and the positive changes made in law enforcement over the past several decades. 

The Sunday reception and program sets the tone for the conference. The evening is designed to “reflect on our City’s civil rights past” and to assist youth and law enforcement personnel in understanding the historical foundation that governed lines of communication between communities and law enforcement officers. Students participating in the BCRI Legacy Youth Leadership Program will be on hand to give guided tours of the renovated exhibition galleries.  Myrna Jackson, Vice President of the Birmingham Metro Chapter of the NAACP will offer a brief background on civil rights era relationships between Movement organizers, youth and law enforcement officers sworn to “serve and protect.” She will be joined by Birmingham’s first African American Police Chief Johnnie Johnson—now Chief of Police in Brighton—as he reflects on the positive outcomes of the Movement. 

Monday’s conference includes two basic components: (1) a panel discussion including Movement participants and law enforcement officials outlining the positive aspects of the struggle,  and the current role of law enforcement in society; and (2) an interactive examination of the responsibility of youth in establishing safe communities.

Our community partners in this initiative include Birmingham City Schools, Birmingham Police Department, Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County, Community Action Partnership, Jefferson County Department of Human Resources, Jefferson County Family Court, Parent’s Against Violence and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.