Atlanta, Ga., October 7, 2014 - The Georgia Historical Society, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc., and the Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that they will officially launch the Georgia Civil Rights Trail, a statewide public education initiative commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Georgia, on Thursday, October 16 with the dedication of a historical marker in recognition of the Atlanta Student Movement on the campus of Clark Atlanta University.
“The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most significant social, legal, political, and cultural movements in American history,” said Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. “The Georgia Civil Rights Trail recognizes the central role that Georgia played and the leadership that Georgians provided in the movement to end Jim Crow in America.”
The Georgia Civil Rights Trail initiative will focus broadly on the economic, social, political, and cultural history of the Civil Rights Movement by guiding audiences to the sites where history happened, inviting them to stand on the ground where struggles and events took place, and providing a foundation upon which to build and cultivate a deeper understanding of the past and its relevance to the present.
“We are honored to partner with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. to launch the Georgia Civil Rights Trail with the dedication of the Atlanta Student Movement Historical Marker,” added Groce. “These markers are part of a series that will join over 65 other GHS markers across the state in recognizing the struggle for African-American freedom and equality since the Civil War.”
The Dedication will take place Thursday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the corner of Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard (formerly Fair Street) and James P. Brawley Drive on the campus of Clark Atlanta University (223 James P. Brawley Drive SW), Atlanta.
Speakers will include Lonnie King, Atlanta Student Movement, Dr. Mary Ann Smith-Wilson, Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights, Doug Shipman, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. and Dr. W. Todd Groce, Georgia Historical Society.
Immediately following the dedication of the Georgia Civil Rights Trail and the unveiling of the Atlanta Student Movement Historical Marker the Georgia Historical Society will unveil a marker at Rush Memorial Church commemorating the support of the Rush congregation specifically, and local churches generally, to the organization and implementation of the protest activities of the Civil Rights Movement in Georgia.
The press and the public are invited to attend.
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