Welcome to the Iowa Bar Association’s 2027 Civil Rights Journey through Atlanta and Alabama. This impactful educational travel experience will explore pivotal locations, landmark events, and influential figures that shaped the American Civil Rights Movement and transformed our nation’s legal and social landscape.

Throughout the journey, participants will visit nationally recognized museums and historic sites, hear firsthand accounts from individuals connected to the movement, and engage in meaningful discussions surrounding justice, equality, voting rights, and the enduring legacy of civil rights in America. We look forward to sharing this unforgettable and inspiring experience with you.

Important Terms & Conditions:

$330 deposit (per person) is due to register and secure your spot on the tour. This initial deposit is fully refundable until November 2, 2026. Subsequent deposits thereafter are nonrefundable. Final payment is due January 10, 2027.

Pre & Post-Nights are available at the Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport as add-ons during booking. The Embassy Suites offer shuttle services to and from the airport.

Each individual passenger must purchase a package (packages are per person, not per room). 

If the required minimum (20) is not met by 11/2/26, the tour will need to be repriced or canceled. If the tour is canceled due to low registration, all refunds will be fully refunded.

We recommend purchasing Traveler Protection Insurance after 11/2/26 (once trip is definite).  There are several options to choose from.  It is not included in the package and purchased is at the traveler's discretion.

The following information regarding optional travel protection is from Travel Insured and is not a MARS company or affiliate organization.  MARS provides this information as a client courtesy only.  MARS is not an insurance provider and cannot provide insurance advise or plan/coverage specific information.  

We recommend travelers purchase insurance once the trip becomes definite (after 11/2/26)

To help protect your investment of travel and to help protect yourself while you are away, consider purchasing travel protection from Travel Insured International. These protection plans include pre-departure benefits such as Trip Cancellation and post-departure benefits such as Accident & Sickness Medical, Baggage/Baggage Delay, Evacuation, Missed Connection, Trip Delay and Trip Interruption. In addition, plans include 24/7 Emergency Assistance Services that are provided by an independent organization, and not by United States Fire Insurance Company or Travel Insured International.  

Below is a link that will allow you to purchase Travel Protection for your trip. Plans may be time sensitive. For questions on the plan, coverage, or procedures, please contact the Group Support Desk at Travel Insured 844-440-8113.

https://www.travelinsured.com/agency?agency=53201 

Fly into Atlanta, Georgia where the journey begins. Transfer to your hotel and meet your expert Tour Director, who brings the history of the Civil Rights Movement to life. 

Begin your Civil Rights journey with a visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, where powerful  exhibits examine the ongoing pursuit of justice, equality, and human dignity.

This evening, meet fellow travelers during a Welcome Dinner and prepare for an inspiring and educational experience across the American South.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning prior to checking out.

Travel into Alabama to explore the remarkable legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen at Moton Field, where the first African American military pilots began their groundbreaking training.

Continue to Montgomery for visits and presentations highlighting the city’s central role in the Civil Rights Movement, including the Civil Rights Memorial Center and a special program focused on the legacy of Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. End the evening with dinner and a moving Rosa Parks presentation.

Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel this morning before checking out and departing.

Discover Montgomery’s profound Civil Rights history with visits to the Rosa Parks Museum & the acclaimed Legacy Museum and Memorial sites, offering powerful reflections on slavery, segregation, racial injustice, and resilience.

Later, travel along the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail and visit the Lowndes Interpretive Center before arriving in Selma for dinner and an unforgettable opportunity to hear firsthand stories from student foot soldiers who participated in the movement.

Experience some of the most iconic sites of the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, including Brown Chapel AME Church, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the National Voting Rights Museum. 

Continue on to Birmingham to visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, and Kelly Ingram Park, where dramatic events of the 1960s helped change the course of American history.

A delicious Farewell Dinner is included this evening to cap off a deeply meaningful day of reflection and learning.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the South, each of you carrying home a new understanding of the courage, tenacity, and commitment of those who fought for civil rights. 

As you head to the airport, take a moment to reflect on the insights, connections, and inspirations gained along the way. This journey through historic Civil Rights sites leaves a lasting impression, providing a deeper appreciation for the ongoing work toward justice and equality, and the events that shaped the Civil Rights Movement and continue to influence our nation today.