Rosa Parks Assaulted in Her Home

Rosa Parks, known for her pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, published her autobiography aimed at younger audiences, detailing her life and the events leading to her refusal to give up her bus seat. This work, along with her later memoir focusing on her faith, contributed to her legacy as a symbol of resistance and empowerment. However, her life took a tragic turn when she was assaulted in her home at the age of 81. The assailant, Joseph Skipper, forcibly entered her residence under the pretense of having chased away an intruder. After demanding a reward for his supposed heroism, he became aggressive when Parks refused to comply with his further demands, leading to a violent confrontation. The incident left Parks injured and traumatized, prompting her to seek help from a friend who contacted the authorities. A swift neighborhood manhunt resulted in Skipper's capture, and he was subsequently sentenced to 8 to 15 years in prison. Parks' statement following the attack highlighted the ongoing struggles for safety and justice, emphasizing that despite the progress made in civil rights, significant challenges remained.