By Associated Press
Gee's Bend, AL – The ferry connecting the isolated, mostly black Gee's Bend community on the Alabama River with Camden will reopen Monday after being shutdown for more than 40 years. The shutdown of the ferry during the civil rights movement was seen by some as an attempt by white officials to prevent blacks from Gee's Bend from coming across the water to vote or take part in demonstrations. The shutdown of the 15-minute ferry ride meant that the people of Gee's Bend had to drive more than 40 miles over narrow rural roads to get to the county courthouse in Camden. On Monday, ferry service will resume for the first time in 44 years. Local, state and federal dignitaries will be on hand for a 10 a-m christening ceremony Monday on the Camden side of the River. Helping with the christening will be some of the ladies of the Gee's Bend Quilting Cooperative. Gee's Bend is famous for the colorful quilts produced by the ladies of the quilting cooperative. Making quilts is a tradition in the community that goes back more than 100 years.