On this date in Black history in 1917, the 20th century’s first civil rights march to combat racial injustice took place in New York City, called the “Silent Parade.”
It was planned out by Harlem Renaissance writer and activist James Weldon Johnson, and coordinated by the NAACP. Around 10,000 African Americans walked down Fifth Avenue to call for legislation to protect Black lives in retaliation to the East St. Louis riots that that led to the deaths of 38 Black people and get the attention of then-President Woodrow Wilson. Children led the parade, followed by women dressed in white and men in suits. They walked to only the sound of muffled drums. No chants, no fiery speeches, described Charles Blow
Among the protesters were NAACP field secretary Johnson, composer of the Negro National Anthem, and W. E. B. DuBois, co-founder of the NAACP.
All this and more on “Prime.”
To watch BNC programming, visit https://bnc.tv/how-to-watch/
Follow BNC on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BNCNews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BNCNews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bncnews/?hl=en
#SilentParade #BlackLivesMatter #BlackHistory
Be the first to comment