Demetrius Newton facts for kids

Demetrius Caiphus Newton (born March 15, 1928 – died September 11, 2013) was an American lawyer and politician. He was a champion for civil rights, which means equal rights for all people. He worked to end segregation, a system where people of different races were kept separate.

Mr. Newton filed lawsuits to challenge unfair laws. He even represented famous civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Later, he served in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was a representative for the 53rd district from 1986 until he passed away in 2013. He made history as the first Black speaker pro tempore in the Alabama House. He held this important leadership role from 1998 to 2010.

Early Life and Education

Demetrius Newton was born in Fairfield, Alabama. He went to Fairfield Industrial High School. After high school, he earned his first degree from Wilberforce University. Then, he studied law at the Boston University School of Law, graduating in 1952.

At that time, Alabama paid for Black students to attend law schools outside the state. This was to avoid having to desegregate (mix students of all races) their own law schools. While at Boston University, Newton met Martin Luther King Jr., who was also a student there.

Military Service

After finishing law school, Newton joined the United States Army. He served in the 325th Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. This was during the time of the Korean War, from 1952 to September 1954. He was a Private First Class. In the army, he worked as a defense lawyer in the judge advocate section.

Career in Law and Politics

After his time in the army, Demetrius Newton moved to Birmingham, Alabama. He opened his own law office. There, he became a dedicated civil rights attorney. He joined the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. This group worked to fight for equal rights.

Newton filed many lawsuits to challenge segregationist laws. These were laws that kept Black and white people separate. He represented Martin Luther King Jr. during the historic Selma to Montgomery marches. He also filed the first lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This part of the law made it illegal to discriminate in jobs.

Defending Rosa Parks

Mr. Newton also helped with Rosa Parks' legal defense. She was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. Her brave act helped start the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Public Service Roles

In 1956, Newton ran for the Fairfield City Council. Later, Richard Arrington Jr., who was a childhood friend and the mayor of Birmingham, appointed Newton as the city attorney for Birmingham. In this role, he represented Black people who were arrested during the Birmingham riot of 1963.

From 1972 to 1978, he served as a judge in Brownville, Alabama. In 1986, he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. He became the speaker pro tempore in 1998. This was a very important moment, as he was the first Black person to hold this position in Alabama's history. He served as speaker pro tempore until 2010.

Fighting for a New Constitution

While in the Alabama House, Newton strongly supported changing the Constitution of Alabama. This constitution was written in 1901. He believed it contained language that made it harder for Black people and poor people to vote. He wanted a new constitution that would be fair to everyone.

Demetrius Newton passed away on September 11, 2013, after a long illness. Many people remembered him fondly. Seth Hammett called him "a gentleman and a scholar." Former Governor Robert J. Bentley said Newton was a "fine gentleman" and that they had "a strong mutual respect for each other."