Dr. Gary Joiner, Professor of History at LSU Shreveport, calls Little Union Baptist Church, in the 1800 block of Milam Street, "the epicenter of the Civil Rights struggle in Shreveport." C. O. Simpkins was in the process of transporting activists from the conference when police pulled over his station wagon. He was arrested, as was Reverend Ralph Abernathy (President of the Montgomery Improvement Association), Guy Carawan (Music director at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee), and John Brooks (NAACP Director of Voter Registration.) All the men were held for about an hour and a half before being released.
New Louisiana Civil Rights Trail Marker unveiled at A Z Young Park in Baton Rouge
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New historical marker in Baton Rouge honors longest march of Civil Rights movement
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This week, the Louisiana Office of Tourism introduced the first three life-sized markers along the inaugural Louisiana Civil Rights Trail with one sculpture unveiled in Shreveport.
The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail tells the real-life stories of the civil rights era and pays homage to the trailblazers who played a significant role in advancing the movement during the 1950s and 60s. The markers are installed at the sites of historical landmarks and events throughout the state.
The first marker was unveiled at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans. The longstanding eatery was a meeting place for people of all races to discuss civil rights issues and strategies. Leah Chase, owner and chef, welcomed the activists and often served her Louisianan cuisine at the meetings and to jailed demonstrators.