Ruby Bridges Hall, a Tylertown, Miss., native who faced threats and ostracism when she became the first black child to integrate a public school in New Orleans in 1960, speaks with reporters prior to the Friends of Mississippi Civil Rights gala Friday, Feb. 23, 2018 in Jackson, Miss., where she and four other civil rights veterans were honored. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Republished February 23, 2018 - 7:37 PM
Original Publication Date February 23, 2018 - 6:21 PM
JACKSON, Miss. - The Latest on civil rights activists being honoured in Mississippi (all times local):
8:15 p.m.
The woman who faced threats and harassment when she integrated a southern school as a child several decades ago says "the next civil rights movement" should be banning assault weapons.
Ruby Bridges Hall said Friday at a celebration of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum that she is distressed by mass shootings at U.S. schools.
Then known simply as Ruby Bridges, she was 6 when she became the first African-American child to enrol in an elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. When she enrolled, some white parents withdrew their children. And she could only eat food brought from home because someone threatened to poison her.
Hall is a native of Tylertown, Mississippi. She is one of five civil rights activists being honoured at a gala Friday in the capital city of Jackson. It is part of a celebration of the civil rights museum, which opened in December.
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11:09 p.m.
Longtime U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia is one of five people who are going to be honoured for their work to advance civil rights.
The recognition will take place during a celebration of the new Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson.
Organizers have planned a gala for Friday and a symposium for Saturday.
Lewis was scheduled to speak at the museum's opening in December but cancelled his appearance because Republican Gov. Phil Bryant invited President Donald Trump.
Lewis said Thursday that he's never met Trump, but couldn't be at an event with him because of the "unbelievable things" the president had said about African-Americans and Latinos.
News from © The Associated Press, 2018