Yesterday, The Civil Rights History and Research Center at the University of South Carolina revealed one new historical marker to celebrate the 60 years anniversary of the march of the State House.
On March 2, 1961, hundreds of high school + college students marched at the South Carolina State House. The protest led to a crucial point Supreme Court decision in the civil rights movement making history here in Columbia.
Edwards v. SC Historical marker | Photo via COLAtoday team
During the student-led demonstration against segregation, Participants marched around the State House, some carried signs and, when ordered out, sang patriotic songs + hymns. Shortly after starting, the protest ended with About. 200 protesters arrested and condemned for disturbing the peace.
Student-led protest in 1961 | Image of the Richland Library through the State Newspaper Archives
Last year, Richland Library discovered handwritten entries in the Richland County Sheriff’s Department book of arrests that were made and you can see the additional details of the Supreme Court decisions. You can check this out here.
After the arrests, 187 people appealed the conviction, and your case – Edwards v South Carolina – was heard by United States Supreme Court. Two years later, the court overturned convictions, 8-1, and this case was used as the precedent to protect the First Amendment Rights of the protesters since then.
1961 Protesters at State House March | Image of the Richland Library through the State Newspaper Archives
The ceremony took place on the corner of Gervais and Main streets. Here’s what happened:
🗣️ Reverend James Edwards, The principal complainant in the Supreme Court case was present and spoke about his experience. Edwards was a student at Benedict College at the time, originally from the city of Ninety-Six, and he faced one of the biggest fines + spent most of the time in prison after the protest.
Reverend James Edwards at the inauguration of the historic Edwards x SC landmark | Photo via COLAtoday team
🗣️Representative Leola Robinson-Simpson read the resolution that was presented to Columbia SC 63 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the march. She was one of the original protesters who was arrested in 1961.
Representative Leola Robinson-Simpson reading the resolution at the ceremony. | Photo via COLAtoday team
🗣️ Retired Chief Justice Jean Toal, who was the the first woman on the South Carolina Supreme Court, spoke at the opening ceremony about the precedent that this case served – protect demonstrators’ first amendment rights in the future. She was a student at Dreher High School at the time of the protest and was present, but was not arrested.
The historic landmark was revealed along with a new monument – We will not be moved, which has the names of those who were arrested on March 2, 1961. The art was commissioned by Columbia SC 63 and helped to finance in Fundraising at the Drip Coffee store last autumn.
Monument We will not be moved with the Mayor of Columbia, Steve Benjamin + protesters who were arrested during the march at the State House. | Photo via COLAtoday team