Governor Phil Bredesen recently signed into the law the "Rosa Parks Act."   This comes on the heels of my special report "Justice For All?" This means, anyone with a felony conviction during the civil rights movement can have their records expunged.          

         This past February, I revealed that dozens of former civil rights demonstrators are still living with criminal charges.  They participated in the "sit-ins" that started on March 19, 1960 in Memphis.  Over the next four years, they marched, demonstrated and screamed for equality.  Their voices fell on deaf ears.  Instead, they were beaten and jailed.  Most of them were told charges would be dropped.  But, they weren't.  Dozens of them couldn't get jobs due to their records.  A lot of them went to their graves with records.  A large majority had to move out of state to get jobs. 

         I contacted a lot of people for research.  I interviewed Mrs. Elaine Lee Turner and Mrs. Johnnie R. Turner for my story.  Then, I contacted State Rep. Lois DeBerry.  Within weeks of the story airing, Rep.DeBerry drew up a bill.  She presented it to the state house and State Sen. Jim Kyles took it to the state senate.  Both the house and senate voted in favor of passing the "Rosa Parks Act."   Alabama passed the same act last year.  Tennessee is only the second state to do so.  Others are trying to come up with legislation.  Some people don't want their records expunged.  Understandably, they say it's a badge of honor.

          Thanks to Mrs. Elaine Lee Turner, Mrs. Johnnie R. Turner, Mrs. Grace Alston Mitchell and all hundreds of people who took a stand, by sitting down.  Thanks to Rep. Lois DeBerry and Sen. Jim Kyles for taking one reporter's "idea" and bringing long overdue justice for all.