DECATUR — The Decatur Scottsboro Boys Civil Rights Museum and Judge James E. Horton Jr. Legal Learning Center will host the 3rd Annual Judge James E. Horton Jr. Day of Courage on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 12:00 Noon CST at First Missionary Baptist Church, located at 233 Vine Street NW in Decatur, Alabama.
The event is free and open to the public.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Milton C. Davis, Esq., one of the attorneys who helped research and advocate for the historic pardon of Clarence Norris, the last surviving Scottsboro Boy. Davis’s work contributed to Governor George C. Wallace’s 1976 decision to grant the first pardon in Alabama history issued based on innocence.
The annual program commemorates the courage and judicial integrity of Judge James E. Horton Jr., who risked his career during the 1930s by overturning one of the Scottsboro Boys convictions after recognizing the injustice surrounding the case. The event also highlights the continuing national significance of the Scottsboro Boys cases in conversations surrounding civil rights, constitutional protections, equal justice under law, and American democracy.
“As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Judge Horton Day of Courage provides an opportunity for the public to reflect on the nation’s founding ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the continuing effort to ensure justice and equality for all citizens,” said Dr. Brandon A. Owens, Sr., Executive Director of the Decatur Scottsboro Boys Civil Rights Museum and Judge James E. Horton Jr. Legal Learning Center.
Judge James E. Horton Jr.
Frances D. Tate, Chair and Founder of CEOTA Nonprofit, emphasized the importance of preserving and sharing this history with future generations. “The Scottsboro Boys cases changed the course of American legal and civil rights history,” Tate said. “Judge Horton Day of Courage allows our community to honor those who stood for justice while inspiring future generations to understand the importance of courage, fairness, and equal justice under law.”
The event is an official America250AL commemorative program and will feature historical interpretation, community engagement, and educational dialogue connected to Alabama’s civil rights history and legal legacy.
Community members, educators, students, attorneys, churches, civic organizations, and visitors from across Alabama are encouraged to attend.
Media Release/Emma Martin, Communications Director/Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc.
