Birmingham attorney Giles Perkins, who has announced his intention to run in the Democratic Party’s primary election for attorney general in Alabama, will walk the 51 miles from Selma to Montgomery to file his qualifying papers on Tuesday.

Perkins’ walk will coincide with the 45th Anniversary Commemoration of Bloody Sunday and the historic Civil Rights March which took place this past weekend.

Along the way Perkins will walk with local leaders and citizens and groups such as the Foot Soldiers, to hear their concerns and to learn how he can help their communities, according to a press release issued by his campaign.

“The Attorney General is there to represent the people – not just the rich and powerful — but really the working people of Alabama, whose voices are rarely heard,” Perkins said. “I want to take some time to talk to people about how the attorney general can work with these communities to make them a safer place for our families.”

In announcing his candidacy, Perkins told a story about his grandfather.

“My grandfather gave me simple advice. He said when you have a tough decision to make, go back to your fundamental, core values, and you will probably do the right thing,” he said. “He also said that when you are in a fight, sometimes it helps to pick up a big stick. The stick we get to use is the law. It is the equalizer, the way to protect the people.”

The fight we are in is against the powerful interests that want to hold us back, Perkins said.

“Our first battle is against public corruption that steals your tax dollars and teaches our children that if you are powerful enough, the rules don’t apply to you,” he said. “I was taught that you don’t lie, cheat or steal. It’s time we brought this simple code to Montgomery and all of public life.”

The fundamental question we will answer by our votes is what kind of Alabama we want to be, he said.

“I see an Alabama with honest government, safe streets and opportunity for all,” Perkins said. “I see an Alabama where my children and your children live and prosper and raise their own families. Right here in Alabama. If you see this too then help me win.”

Perkins has practiced law in Birmingham since 1992. He served as Executive Director of the Alabama Democratic Party in 1998, “the most successful year in the Party’s modern history,” he said.

He also serves as President of the Railroad Park Foundation and is a founding member of the Birmingham Zoo. Perkins and his wife Hillery have three children Barton (13), Hugh (11) and Beverly (6). They are members of St, Mary’s church in Birmingham. Perkins invites any who want to join him on the walk to do so. He also encourages all the people to tell him how an attorney general can help them.

More information about Perkins can be found online at PerkinsForAlabama.Com.

Tags: Alabama Politics, Attorney General Candidate Walks from Selma to Montgomery, Giles Perkins

This entry was posted on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 12:40 pm and is filed under Alabama Democratic Party, Alabama Politics, Elections 2010. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.