James Hood dies; defied segregation at U. of Ala.
By BOB JOHNSON, Associated Press
Jan 18, 2013 5:23 PM CST
FILE - In this June 11, 1963 file photo, Vivian Malone and James Hood stand in the doorway of Foster Auditorium where they hold what they called their "first and final news conference" after the two African-American students registered at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Ala. Earlier, Gov. George...   (Associated Press)

One of the first black students who enrolled at the University of Alabama a half century ago in defiance of racial segregation has died. James Hood of Gadsden was 70.

Officials at Adams-Buggs Funeral Home in Gadsden said they are handling arrangements for Hood, who died Thursday.

Then-Alabama Gov. George Wallace made his infamous "stand in the schoolhouse door" in a failed effort to prevent Hood and Vivian Malone from registering for classes at the university in 1963.

Hood and Malone were accompanied by Deputy U.S. Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach when they were confronted by Wallace as they attempted to enter the university's Foster Auditorium to register for classes and pay fees.

Wallace backed down later that day and Hood and Malone registered for classes.

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