This film recounts the people and events leading up to the one of the most despicable hate-crimes during the height of the civil-rights movement, the bombing of the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, Alabama. In that attack, four little African-American girls lost their lives and a nation was simultaneously revolted, angered and galvanized to push the fight for equality and justice on.

One of the victims, Denise McNair, was a friend and classmate of future Secretary of State 'Condoleeza Rice'.

Tommy Wrenn:
I used to be afraid of Bull... until I discovered he was crazy. When I discovered he was crazy my whole attitude changed. Al Hilber was at a Trailways bus depot on the corner. Ah, they were gonna' put us in the paddy wagon and take us to jail. Al Hilber was standing next to the building like this. Bull looked over at us and said, "... hey, go over and get that blind nigga' and bring him over here.

[raucously laughing]


Tommy Wrenn:
. This man was insane. He's hollering across the street, "... bring that blind nigga over here." Now here's a blind man. He does not understand human nature enough to even relate to a blind man.

Joan Baez