Colonel Stone Johnson facts for kids

Stone Johnson (born September 9, 1918 – died January 19, 2012) was an important African-American activist during the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time in American history when many people worked to end unfair treatment and gain equal rights for African Americans. Johnson worked for a railroad company and was a union representative, which means he helped workers have a voice. He became involved in the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama in the mid-1950s, working alongside another leader named Fred Shuttlesworth.

Early Life and Work

Stone Johnson was born in Lowndes County, Alabama. His parents were Fannie and Colonel Johnson. When he was four years old, his family moved to Birmingham. He finished high school at Lincoln High School in 1939. After graduating, he started working at the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company. He worked there for almost 40 years! He said he was the first African-American union representative for the company in Birmingham.

A Protector for Civil Rights

Stone Johnson is well-known for his brave actions during the Civil Rights Movement.

Protecting Churches and People

He helped create a civil rights group called the Civil Rights Guards. This group worked to protect the homes and businesses of people involved in the movement. They often carried weapons to defend against attacks.

One famous story about Johnson is how he helped carry a bomb away from the Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This bomb was placed by the Ku Klux Klan, a group that opposed equal rights for African Americans and used violence.

Saving Freedom Riders

In 1961, during the Freedom Riders movement, Johnson also provided armed protection. The Freedom Riders were groups of civil rights activists who rode buses into the segregated Southern United States to challenge unfair laws. In Anniston, Alabama, Johnson rescued these nonviolent activists from an angry mob that was against desegregation.

He also served for a time as the vice-president of the Birmingham chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This was a major civil rights organization led by Martin Luther King Jr.

His Famous Words

People often asked Stone Johnson how he could protect civil rights leaders, especially since the movement often focused on nonviolence. Johnson had a famous reply: "With my nonviolent .38 special." This showed his commitment to protecting people, even if it meant being ready to defend them.

Legacy

In 2011, the city of Birmingham honored Stone Johnson by naming a street after him. He passed away on January 19, 2012.