Transit Equity Day
Betty Miller Buttram
Contributing Writer, FWIS
Transit Equity Day is a National Day of Action to commemorate Rosa Parks’ birthday on February 4 and to recognize that public transportation is a civil right. This day was established four years ago by a network of transit riders, community organizations, environmental groups and labor unions.
The event to commemorate this occasion in Fort Wayne was on February 1, 2022, outside of the Citilink Central Station, 121 Baker Street. It was a day shared in local partnership with Citilink, NAACP, Phresh Laundry, Pilgrim Baptist Church and the SAVE Promise Club.
Rev. Raymond C. Dix, Jr., the Senior Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church gave the opening remarks: “We are glad to be here and welcome all of you here today for this tremendous opportunity to remember very important critical history in America, not just Black history but American history. We stand here today to recognize the transitions that happened and the need to continue to move forward.”
City Councilman-At-Large Glynn Hines stated that Transit Equity Day is recognized throughout the United States. He stated that one of things to look forward to is providing an elevated level of transportation for all citizens who utilize the transit system. Councilman Hines presented Citilink a proclamation from Mayor Tom Henry which stated that Pilgrim Baptist Church and Citilink will work to observe the Day of Action for Public Transportation as a civil right beginning and moving forward on February 4, 2022, or as Transit Equity Day.
Theopolis Smith III (Phresh Laundry) is a painter and mural artist, and he presented Citilink with an exquisite painting of Rosa Parks. It was unveiled for all to see, and the painting displayed her in such an elegant and striking expression.
Richard Thomas, Jr, employed as an Operations Supervisor and most recently temporarily filling in as Internal Operations Manager, is a three-generation family employee of Citilink. His grandfather and father had long careers with Citilink.
John Metzinger, the CEO of Citilink and a member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), read the APTA Racial Equity Pledge to stand beside the citizens of Fort Wayne to advocate a more equitable environment priority focus for the community. He signed the pledge in front of the gathered audience and anyone can view it on the CitiLink website.
Larry Gist, NAACP Local President, recalled the historic movement of Rosa Parks not giving up her seat and the result of 381 days of the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, and actions of the Civil Rights Movement. Allen County Councilwoman Sheila Curry-Campbell was recognized as an event organizer.
Chief Condra Ridley gave voice to Rosa Parks in a dramatic interpretation of that historical day when she refused to give up her seat on the bus. At the conclusion of her enactment, Chief Ridley stated that each and everyone of us can be effective and encouraged to make a change.
In his closing remarks, Rev. Dix challenged all his African American brothers and sisters to keep moving to the front for the future of this nation and that Fort Wayne has this opportunity to lead America in moving to the front.