Documentary Celebrates Muhammad Ali Five Years After His Death

When Muhammad Ali died five years ago, his name was known worldwide. But it was home, to Louisville, Kentucky, where he returned. (More Sports News)

From his death on June 3, 2016, to his funeral a week later, the Bluegrass community that raised him joined visitors from around the globe to celebrate the life and legacy of 바카라�The Greatest.바카라� That week is the focus of the new documentary, 바카라�City of Ali.바카라�

Running at just under an hour and a half, 바카라�City of Ali바카라� shows the way Ali's hometown united during his death. As the funeral procession snaked its way through the city to the cemetery, the streets were lined with admirers throwing flowers onto his hearse and shouting his name.

바카라�He was always so excited to go back to Louisville and to see his people, because that's where it all started,바카라� recalled Ali's daughter, Rasheda Ali.

바카라�He loved Louisville and Louisville loved him back.바카라�

Rasheda Ali, who participated in the documentary, says learning of the events surrounding that week was special to her because it was during her 바카라�darkest hour.바카라�

바카라�Everything around this moment was just a big blur for me and my family,바카라� she said in a Zoom interview with The Associated Press.

Ali may have been known to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, but there was much more to the man. Ali used his words as effectively as he used his fists, refusing to be silenced by those who did not like what he had to say.

바카라�My dad stood for inclusion, my dad stood for racial equality, for peace and love,바카라� said Rasheda Ali.

바카라�Muhammad, he did not change his conviction. He stayed true to who he was.바카라�

As one of the highest profile conscientious objectors and someone who spoke out against racial inequality, Ali remains a symbol of resistance and strength to many in Louisville.

바카라�I definitely don't think you can be Black in America and not be inspired by Muhammad Ali,바카라� said Phelix Crittenden, a community organizer for Blacks Organizing Strategic Success (BOSS).

Crittenden said meeting Ali, though briefly, left an impact.

바카라�He told my parents to watch out for me because I was going to be somebody,바카라� Crittenden said.

바카라�I would hope that I'm proving him right and serving him justice by getting into this realm of uplifting marginalized voices.바카라�

Though he was admired by so many, Louisville-based politician Charles Booker says Ali's relationship with the city was nuanced.

바카라�He would not back away from the tough conversations and I don't believe the city always embraced him because he was going to call things out,바카라� Booker said.

바카라�Louisville has been, and still is, one of the more segregated cities in the country, and the structural challenges that we face that led him to be such a big and critical mouthpiece for a lot of folks that don't get heard, we're still battling those things.바카라�

Just last summer, Louisville made headlines after the killing of Breonna Taylor. Protests within the city and nationwide called for an investigation into the officers involved in the shooting.

바카라�I definitely feel that people are starting to wake up,바카라� said Crittenden, who was involved in the protests.

Crittenden feels optimistic, despite the fact that some of the same protests that were happening the year Ali died are still occurring.

바카라�As a trans person, my life is always in danger,바카라� Crittenden said.

바카라�I feel I was fortunate enough to be able to navigate that place where I can turn my anger into activism."

Booker echoed Crittenden's optimism, emphasizing the way the Louisville community has come together.

바카라�I'm very hopeful,바카라� Booker said.

바카라�We're seeing folks from all corners, all walks of life, that are taking to the streets to call for justice, not only for Breonna Taylor, but for all of us.바카라�

 Taylor, a Black medical worker, was shot and killed in her apartment during a raid by Louisville police in March 2020.

Rasheda Ali sees her father's footprints in everything 바카라� from Black Lives Matter to Colin Kaepernick.

바카라�We have an obligation as a people to continue his legacy because we want all of the sacrifices that he made to not be in vain,바카라� she said.

Keeping his legacy alive is the goal of the Muhammad Ali Center. The Louisville museum and multicultural center educates people about Ali and teaches the core principles he lived by 바카라� confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving and spirituality.

To celebrate his life on the anniversary of his passing, the center, which also participated in the documentary, is holding an Ali Festival through June 13, with screenings of 바카라�City of Ali바카라� taking place daily.

바카라�The film reminded all of us of the importance of unity,바카라� said Laura Douglas, the museum's interim president and CEO.

바카라�It reminded us that it was something that was achievable, that we had done it before, and it caused us to think about replicating it again.바카라�

바카라�City of Ali바카라� is also available for streaming through Abramorama's Watch Now @ Home Cinema Release.