Angela Yvonne Davis

 A happy, peaceful, middle-class child raised in Birmingham, Alabama.  Angela was born in Birmingham in 1944.  Daughter of Sallye and Frank Davis.  Angela had a sister and two brothers.  At age 12, Angela organized an interracial study group.  Angela also volunteered for the student non-violent coordinating committee, participated in Girl Scouts, tennis, and played in the band.  During her spare time, Angela was a gluttonous reader.  Angela was a member of thee Black Panther and Communist parties as well.  At age 15, Angela was given a scholarship and traveled to New York to continue her studies at the Elizabeth Irwin High School.  Angela graduated from Brandeis College with great praise.  Then she studied in Germany for two years.  After receiving a master’s degree in philosophy in 1968, Davis became a doctoral candidate.  This was also the first year that Angela purchased a gun.

When she became a teacher Angela won several awards for her excellence.  When rumors were heard that she might be a communist, she was fired.  She was forced to change apartments several times during this period as well as other tragedies.  On October 13,1970, Angela Davis was arrested for murder.  She was held on a bail for 250,000.  Many people including a lawyer and Angela’s mother fought for her freedom.  On February 2, 1971, New Yorkers held a tribute honoring Angela’s birthday.  In the Grand Jury indictment it was charged that Angela had purchased all of the guns used by the kidnapper and smuggled into the courtroom by Jonathan Jackson.

In June, Angela was denied bail. In 1971, she published her first book written long handed in jail.  On Feb. 23, 1972, Angela was released on bail.   She lived in an apartment in San Jose during her trial.  In 13 weeks of trial and testimony, the prosecution called 95 witnesses and 201 exhibits.  After 13 hours of deliberation on Sunday, June 4, 1972, an all-white jury returned a verdict of “not guilty” on all charges.  “This is the happiest day of my life,” quoted Angela’s mother.  Davis stated “there is absolutely nothing which could deter me from continuing to fight with all my energies for the freedom of the people."
 

 
Angela Davis Coretta Scott King

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