On 16 September 1963, Garlandalong with daughter Liza, Carolyn Jones, June Allyson, and Allyson's daughter Pam Powellheld a press conference to highlight and protest the recent bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, that resulted in the death of four young African American girls. They expressed their shock at the events and requested funds for the families of the victims. Pam Powell and Liza Minnelli both announced their intention to attend the funeral of the victims during the press conference.