ACCORD’S FREEDOM TRAIL PHASE II SITES UNVEILED IN ST. AUGUSTINE

By Gwendolyn Duncan (President of 40th ACCORD)

Our celebration this year began on June 28th with a Family Fun Day in which we conducted two historic civil rights landmarks tours compliments of the St. Augustine RED Sightseeing Train, the showing of Jeremy Dean's documentary film, Dare Not Walk Alone, bingo, puzzles, coloring, storytelling by Shirley Bryce, & Civil Rights Heroine Janie Price, Freedom Songs with Carrie Johnson, cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, drinks, music by DJ Richie Rich, and much more. There was fun for everyone and for all ages. The Mayor of St. Augustine, the Honorable Joseph Boles was in attendance as well as candidates running for office who came to donate their time and talents to help with this year's event. Doctoral students from the University of St. Augustine volunteered their time as well. Some children wanted to know when we were going to do it again

On July 2nd, the 44th Anniversary of the Signing of the Landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, we began our celebration with a tour of the Freedom Trail Phase II sites compliments of the St. Augustine RED Trains and narrated by local historian and Co-chair of the ACCORD Freedom Trail Committee, David Nolan. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was conducted by the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce at the home of Mrs. Rena Ayers.

The 2nd Annual Freedom Trail Luncheon was held at the Casa Monica Hotel, ACCORD welcomed back to St. Augustine, FL, Dr. C.T. Vivian as keynote speaker. He is a legendary hero of the Civil Rights Movement: one of the closest living associates of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He played an important part in the civil rights movement in St. Augustine in 1964 and was pictured in the center of a famous photograph showing the wade-in at St. Augustine Beach that attracted international attention. We honored 103 year-old housemother to the civil rights movement, Mrs. Rena Ayers. Student demonstrators and attorneys who defended them in the courts were provided food and lodging by this brave and courageous woman. Commissioner Errol Jones was our Master of Ceremonies and did an excellent job. In attendance were Civil Rights Hero and Leader of the St. Augustine Movement, Dr. Robert B. Hayling who also introduced Dr. Vivian. Florida State Senator Tony Hill addressed the crowd and announced that starting next year he will sponsor through ACCORD, The Dr. Robert B. Hayling Civil Rights Award to be given in Dr. Hayling's name, at our next Freedom Trail Luncheon. Mayor Joseph Boles read a proclamation from the City of St. Augustine acknowledging the great works of Dr. C.T. Vivian. Rick Matthews, Vice-President of the Northrop Grumman plant here in St. Augustine greeted the crowd and said that it was an honor for his company to sponsor Phase I and II of the Freedom Trail Project

Dr. Vivian vividly recalled being in St. Augustine and the reception he received this time was nothing like before. His powerful and eloquent speech was very moving and inspiring. Also in attendance were Attorney Dan Warren, author of, If it Takes All Summer along with his lovely wife Judge Stasia Warren and son Attorney Adam Warren. There were many civil rights demonstrators in attendance from the 1963-`64 Movement of St. Augustine. Ms. Carolyn Fisher and pianist Philip Brown serenaded the crowd with Freedom Songs. The Celebration was counted as a success and as Rick Matthews says, ".we look forward to Phase III".  

ACCORD's Freedom Trail Celebration culminated on July 13th, when David Nolan, Barbara Smith (civil rights demonstrator) and yours truly attended the reading of a Proclamation by the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners in which the Board honored Dr. C.T. Vivian and declared the month of July as True American Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement Month.

Special thanks to the Northrop Grumman Corporation, Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Trail Phases I & II Sites; The St. Augustine Alligator Farm, silver sponsor; Christine & Christine Law Firm, our bronze sponsor; The St. Augustine RED Sightseeing Trains; United Way of St. Johns County; Publix Supermarkets; Coca Cola Bottling Company of Jax; Flowers by Shirley; and Jalaram Hospitality Group for helping make our Phase II Freedom Trail Project a huge success. After a short respite, we will start once again preparing for next year's celebration.