Liuzzo, Viola, 1925-1965

Viola Liuzzo Papers

drice — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:22:41 -0400

On March 25, 1965, Viola Liuzzo, a Wayne State University student and mother, was shot and killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan after participating in civil rights protests in Alabama. The impact of Liuzzo’s death was felt across the country. Despite a FBI informant's eyewitness testimony at the trial of the three Klansmen, none of the men were found guilty of murder. Liuzzo's family, as well as two civil rights workers involved in the 1965 protest, would later file unsuccessful suits against the U.S. government based on this FBI informant's involvement in the incident. Speculation about the exact nature and circumstances of Liuzzo’s murder continues.

The Viola Liuzzo Papers contain documentation of the events surrounding the murder of Liuzzo, the resulting investigation, and later litigation on behalf of the Liuzzo Family. They include FBI murder investigation files, legal precedents to the 1980s lawsuit, related legal motions and proceedings, correspondence, and depositions from FBI handlers, expert witnesses, and eyewitnesses. The collection also contains the fulfilled Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIPA) requests for the FBI's involvement with the Ku Klux Klan, FBI policy, information about the Liuzzo family, and a portion of documents related to the Freedom Riders.

Viola Liuzzo Sculpture Dedicated In Detroit

aergas — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 13:17:07 -0400

Civil rights activist Viola Gregg Liuzzo was remembered and honored on July 23, 2019, when a new sculpture, by local artist Austen Brantley, was dedicated at the Detroit park named after her.

Liuzzo, born in 1925 and a mother of five living in the Detroit area, attended classes at Wayne State University for several years in the early 1960s. In 1965, she drove to Selma, Alabama, to join activists at voter-registration drives and marches led by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. read more »

Wayne Alumna Viola Gregg Liuzzo Honored for Her Work as a Civil Rights Activist

ljones — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 16:59:26 -0400

This spring 2015, Wayne State University will be honoring one of its own whose contribution to humanity exemplifies the best in humanity. In March 1965 Viola Gregg Liuzzo traveled to Selma, Alabama in response to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s request of support for a voter registration drive in that state. On March 25, after the last of three marches that month, Liuzzo was shot and murdered on Highway 80 outside of Selma, Alabama while assisting with the transportation of marchers on the way home from the protest. read more »

(24853) Mrs. Viola Liuzzo, Civil Rights Activist, 1963

eclemens — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:47:31 -0400

Portrait of Mrs. Viola Liuzzo, Civil Rights activist, taken two years before her murder by members of the Ku Klux Klan on March 25, 1965.

(32000) Governor George Romney, Anthony Liuzzo, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:28:25 -0400

Michigan Governor George Romney visits with Anthony Liuzzo, husband of slain civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo. In his hand appears to be a stack of telegrams.

(32001) Martin Luther King, Jr., Viola Liuzzo Funeral, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:30:49 -0400

Martin Luther King, Jr. makes his way through the crowds en-route to the funeral of slain civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo.

(32002) Viola Liuzzo, Funeral, Mourners, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:33:43 -0400

Mourners gather at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for the funeral of slain civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo.

Left to right: Reverend James Wadsworth; Roy Wilkins, executive director of the NAACP; Walter Reuther, president of the United Auto Workers Union; May Reuther, Walter’s wife.

(32004) Viola Liuzzo, Funeral, Family, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:38:14 -0400

The family of Viola Liuzzo, slain civil rights activist, attend her funeral service at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

(32005) Viola Liuzzo, Family, Detroit, 1961

eclemens — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:47:30 -0400

A family snapshot of slain civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo, her husband Anthony and their daughter Sally.

Photo courtesy of the Detroit News Collection

(32006) Viola Liuzzo, Family, 1965

eclemens — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:50:54 -0400

A candid view inside the Liuzzo household, one day after civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo was murdered by the KKK.

Left to right: Anthony Liuzzo (husband), Peggy (daughter), and Tim (son).

Wayne State University Photographs; Reuther Library; Events; Viola Liuzzo

drice — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:56:08 -0400

Members of the Liuzzo family look through the papers of Viola Liuzzo during a visit to the Reuther Library, coinciding with Wayne State's posthumous awarding of an honorary doctor of laws to the civil rights activist. Field Archivist Louis Jones (2nd from left), Director Erik Nordberg (2nd from right), and Dean Sandra Yee (right) look on.

Wayne State University Photographs; Reuther Library; Events; Viola Liuzzo

drice — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:12:56 -0400

Field Archivist Louis Jones (2nd from left) assists members of the Liuzzo family in looking through the papers of Viola Liuzzo, during their visit to the Reuther Library. The visit coincided with Wayne State University's posthumous awarding of an honorary doctor of laws to the civil rights activist.

Wayne State University Photographs; Reuther Library; Events; Viola Liuzzo

drice — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:16:06 -0400

Members of the Liuzzo family visit the archives where the papers of Viola Liuzzo are held. The visit coincided with Wayne State's posthumous awarding of an honorary doctor of laws to the civil rights activist. Field Archivist Louis Jones (left), Dean Sandra Yee (2nd from left), and Director Erik Nordberg (right) stand with the family in the Reuther atrium.

Wayne State University Photographs; Reuther Library; Events; Viola Liuzzo

drice — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 10:19:54 -0400

Members of the Liuzzo family visit the archives where the papers of Viola Liuzzo are held. The visit coincided with Wayne State's posthumous awarding of an honorary doctor of laws to the civil rights activist. Field Archivist Louis Jones (left), Marguerite Carlton, (2nd from left), Dean Sandra Yee (2nd from right), and Director Erik Nordberg (right) stand with the family in the Reuther atrium.

(39007) Viola Liuzzo, Murder Investigation, 1965

eclemens — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 15:36:46 -0400

Law enforcement agents inspect the crime scene surrounding Viola Liuzzo's car. Liuzzo, a civil rights activist from Michigan, was shot to death by members of the Ku Klux Klan while assisting with the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.