On November 9, 2019, the family and descendants of Royal Cyril Brooks, in partnership with CRRJ, unveiled an historical marker in his honor. The State of Louisiana approved the marker for installation near where 44-year-old Royal Brooks was unjustly killed by a Gretna police officer on February 27, 1948. Community members, public officials, and media attended the ceremony.
Roy Leo Brooks Jr. and Ira Brooks, both grandchildren of Royal Brooks, unveiled the marker at the Ferry Landing Terminal in Gretna. It was there that Royal Brooks was taken off a bus by Patrolman Alvin Bladsacker after he offered to trade fares with another passenger. Bladsacker struck Brooks in the head with his gun and shot him twice, killing him in broad daylight. Bladsacker was indicted by a grand jury but acquitted of the charge at trial.
The marker represents a significant step in the racial history of Gretna. It is said to be the first marker honoring an African American in the city. It follows upon a public apology issued in April 2018 by Mayor Constant and the unveiling of a gravestone in his honor.
Date:
November 9, 2019
Location:
Ferry Landing Terminal in Gretna, LA
Speakers:
- Margaret Burnham, CRRJ
- Kaylie Simon, CRRJ
- Hon. Belinda C. Constant, Mayor of Gretna
- Iriane McCray, great-granddaughter of Royal Brooks
- Rev. Louis Brooks Harrison, great-grand nephew
- Kyle M. Green Jr., State Representative-elect and great-grand nephew
- Donita Y. Brooks, Esq., great-niece
Below:
Photo 1: Roy Leo Brooks Jr. and Ira Brooks unveiling the marker to family, community members and public officials.
Photo 2: Professor Margaret Burnham explains that “until we know the name and story of every Royal Brooks in our country, we haven’t done our job. We haven’t done our job for that generation and we haven’t done our job as keepers of our history, of American history.”
Photo 3: On Saturday, March 6, 1948, The Louisiana Weekly featured the murder of Royal Cyril Brooks by Patrolman Alvin Bladsacker in Gretna. Royal Brooks’ son, Roy Brooks Jr., sits next to his father’s body as a crowd gathers. The Civil Rights Congress, the Local 309 of FTA-CIO, and African American newspapers, including The Louisiana Weekly, were pivotal in getting a murder charge before a grand jury.
Photo 4: Roy Leo Brooks Jr., Kaylie Simon, Margaret Burnham, Mayor Constant, Councilman Hinyub, Ira Brooks and Kyle Green.