The family of the late Dr. A. G. Gaston requested the City of Birmingham rename 5th Avenue North between 14th Street and 24th Street, to Dr. A. G. Gaston Boulevard. That request was denied and an honorary street sign was put up instead. Now the family of Dr. A. G. Gaston needs your help to turn this honorarium into a permanent street renaming.

Dr. Gaston established a legacy that paved the way for today’s entrepreneurial development and success, not only in the 4th Avenue and Civil Rights Districts, but throughout the city of Birmingham, the state of Alabama and this nation. During the early years of the modern civil rights movement, Gaston effectively maneuvered quietly behind the scenes to support civil rights activists. He offered to donate money to the legal team of Autherine Lucy, an African American who in 1955 had filed a lawsuit to integrate the graduate school at the University of Alabama. He also gave financial assistance to Tuskegee activists forced out of their homes because they challenged voting discrimination. In 1956 when Birmingham civil rights activist Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, the organization held its initial meeting at Gaston’s downtown office. Gaston also allowed activists to lodge at his hotel and meet there to plan campaigns. During the 1963 Birmingham demonstrations at Kelly Ingram Park, Gaston used his financial resources to bail out of jail Martin Luther King, Jr. and other incarcerated activists.

Through his willingness and loyalty to meet the needs of the African American community, other businesses and business owners were given the opportunities they needed to thrive and become successful. For these reasons we submit this petition as representation of the supporters and individuals that are in agreement to renaming 5th Avenue North to Dr. A. G. Gaston Boulevard.