Bishop Calvin Woods Landmark Destroyed, City Councilor Says

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A landmark in Kelly Ingram Park honoring civil rights activist Bishop Calvin Woods has been destroyed, according to his grandson, Birmingham City Councilman Clinton Woods.

Clinton Woods released a statement Wednesday saying he learned of the damage to the landmark Tuesday, and said security video is being studied by law enforcement.

"Yesterday I learned that the state historic landmark that was installed in Kelly Ingram Park to honor the contributions of my grandfather, Bishop Calvin Woods, has been destroyed," Woods said. "I am extremely angry and disappointed. At this time, there are many unanswered questions, but I do know that a member of the community contacted my grandfather on Monday night to inform him that his monument was no longer in Kelly Ingram Park."

Woods said the sign is in two pieces and he believes that the sign was damaged by an individual. "This monument was a well-deserved piece of recognition for the works of not only my grandfather, but the many other individuals in the Civil Rights struggle with whom he marched side-by-side. This was a major point of pride for our entire family," Woods said. "There are several aspects of this situation that are extremely upsetting; the fact that there’s an individual or individuals in this city that have so little reverence for the struggles that people like my grandfather went through to create the opportunities that we have today — the same opportunities that many of us take for granted. They spoke up and spoke out at a time when it could’ve cost them their lives or the lives of their families."

Woods said he and his family are currently working with several groups and individuals to put reward money in place for information leading to an arrest.