Dillard, Civil Rights Pioneer, Laid to Rest in Luverne
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A man many Alabamians consider a civil rights pioneer is laid to rest.
Those who knew John Dillard say, if it wasn’t for his courage African Americans in Alabama would not have a chance to be in power in state and local government.
A humble civil rights icon, Dillard took Crenshaw County to court saying the county did not have proper representation for minorities in 1985.
That lawsuit is credited with giving African Americans their first real place in local government in Alabama since slavery.
Earl C. Jones, Chairman Alabama Democratic Conference, 2nd Congressional District said, “I hope that they will look at his history and see what he did. The opportunities that he provided for many, and take advantage of it, particularly I am speaking about the vote.”
Dillard served as Chairman of the Democratic Conference in Crenshaw County for 25 years.
