Saturday marks the 62nd anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday, a racially motivated attack that took place in Hemming Park in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 27, 1960. On that day, a group of white men attacked African Americans who were engaging in peaceful sit-in protests opposing racial segregation.
In observation of the day, an inaugural Jacksonville Civil Rights Conference is being held this weekend. This first-of-its-kind conference will bridge historic and contemporary Civil Rights movements by connecting history, community, arts and culture, and multi-generational partnerships in ways that activate the socio-political imagination and move humanity forward.
All in person tickets for the event are sold out, however you can still attend the conference virtually. Visit http://ow.ly/LYbk50KtxH4 for more details. If you are unable to attend, we invite you to read Rodney Hurst’s award winning book, “It was never about a hot dog and a Coke!”