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Civil rights activist Ozell Sutton dead at 90

Dr. Ozell Sutton may be one of the most unknown influential pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement.

A prominent civil rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has died.

ATLANTA —  The family of Ozell Sutton told Channel 2 Action News about his death on Saturday.

Sutton was there for the March on Washington. He crossed the bridge in Selma and was with King when he was assassinated in Memphis.
               
Sutton also played a key role in helping the "Little Rock Nine,” getting nine African-American students into Little Rock Central High School.

After the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Sutton worked at the U.S. Department of Justice, serving as a mediator.  He retired in 2003 as their Director of Community Relations.  President Barack Obama recently presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal for being one of the first African-Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corp.

Channel 2's Craig Lucie asked him, of all his accomplishments, which one makes him the most proud.

He didn't hesitate.

"I'm proud of the involvement in the fight for freedom," he said.

Sutton had just turned 90 a few days ago.

WSBTV

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