WBBJ TV
April 22, 2021
JACKSON, Tenn. An organization unveils a structure they hope will remind residents about compassion.
Thursday, The Links Incorporated and the City of Jackson teamed up to unveil the “friendship bench” at Shirlene Mercer Park.
Representatives say the bench is a reminder for students and residents to sit down and talk with each other.
Local representatives and Shirlene Mercer herself were in attendance.
Machelle Banks, president of the Jackson chapter of The Links, says she hopes the bench can help those in need.
“It is our hope that it’ll help curb bullying, mental health and just help to build friendship and unity within the community,” Banks said.
WBBJ TV
March 1, 2021
Woolworth Store stools on display inside Jackson City Hall.
A crowd gathered in City Hall where the old Woolworth Store once stood to witness the unveiling of a new display commemorating the sit-in protests that rocked the community back in 1960.
The most famous of which were the “freshmen four,” here in Jackson.
“As freshmen in college, they were active catalysts in influencing change in Jackson, Tennessee. We stand here together, today, because those four freshmen took bold action,” said Jackson Mayor Scott Conger.
The four were a group of Black students from Lane College, who entered the Woolworth Store and sat down at the “whites-only” counter to protest segregation.
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