Rock Hill's Pivotal Moments in the Civil Rights Struggle
Rock Hill's a city with a rich history, but some chapters shine brighter than others. In the spirit of Black History Month, let's dive into two pivotal moments that changed the game, right here in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The Friendship Nine
The "Friendship Nine" were a band of nine brave men who dared to sit at the "whites only" counter of McCrory's lunch counter downtown. The protesters who sat down at the McCrory’s counter that morning were Willie Edward McLeod, James Frank Wells, Clarence Henry Graham, Thomas Walter Gaither, David “Scoop” Williamson, Robert Lewis McCullough, Mack Cartier Workman, Willie Thomas “Dub” Massey, and John Alexander Gaines. Imagine a group of nine young men, in 1961, taking a seat at the "whites only" lunch counter at McCrory's downtown. They weren't asking for a handout, just a cup of coffee. But things got heated, not for demanding a burger, but for refusing to stop singing hymns during their daily devotions. It didn’t take long before these nine men found themselves facing a harsh reality: the York County prison farm.
Photo Courtesy of Friendship College Foundation
Instead of paying bail, the Friendship Nine chose a bold new strategy called "jail, no bail." It was a gamble, a way to say, "We'd rather face hard labor than compromise our principles." And guess what? It worked. Their story exploded onto the national stage, shining a spotlight on the injustices of segregation and inspiring countless others to join the fight. This "jail, no bail" tactic became a powerful tool for the Civil Rights Movement across the South, a testament to the courage and ingenuity of these nine young men.
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of thirteen brave riders, including the legendary John Lewis, that boarded a bus in Washington, D.C., heading south to test the Supreme Court's ruling against segregation in interstate travel. Rock Hill was their first stop, and history took a brutal turn. Lewis and another rider were viciously attacked by a white mob as they stepped off the bus. Punches flew, cameras flashed, and the world watched as Rock Hill became the face of the struggle for equality. The image of Lewis's bloodied face flashed across national newsstands, starkly exposing the ugly face of racism. But even in the face of hate, Lewis chose forgiveness. Two decades later, he returned to Rock Hill, welcomed with open arms and given the key to the city. In 2008, another powerful moment: the city formally apologized for the violence against the Freedom Riders, acknowledging the pain of the past and paving the way for a more just future.
Still from "John Lewis- Get in the Way"
These acts of heroism by the Friendship Nine and others helped to spur even larger protests like the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963 and the famous march from Selma to Montgomery in March 1965. The result of these many demonstrations was the passage of such monumental civil rights legislation as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
As we celebrate Black History Month, remember these heroes and their stories, and let their courage continue to inspire us to fight for justice and equality. These two moments are etched in Rock Hill's history, reminding us that even the smallest act can ripple outwards, changing the course of a nation. Next time you walk down Main Street, remember Rock Hill's story is one of struggle and triumph that continues to unfold with each passing day.