Statement by Edward J. McElroy,
President, American Federation of Teachers,
On the Passing of Rosa Parks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rosa Parks will be remembered as one of the most courageous and inspiring activists, whose one small defiant action changed history.  Her refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger became a major spark for the modern civil rights movement, which led to numerous landmark desegregation laws.  The AFT mourns the passing of Rosa Parks, to whom we and the country owe a great debt of gratitude.

# # # #