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Alexandria Library sit-in

December 08, 2023

The Alexandria Library sit-in was one of the first staged sit-in actions in the United States, pioneering the use of nonviolent direct action to demand equal rights for African Americans. On August 21, 1939, five Black men sat down inside the Alexandria Public Library and quietly read books, a transgression of the library's "whites only" policy. Their actions were coordinated by Alexandria attorney Samuel Wilbert Tucker, who planned the action to create a test case challenging the library's racial segregation policy. The men were escorted out of the library by police and charged with disorderly conduct. A ruling was not filed in their court case; in October 2019, all charges against the men were dismissed. The Alexandria sit-in is one of the earliest precursors in the U.S. of the strategies used during the civil rights movement.

Alexandria Library sit-in
DateAugust 21, 1939
Location
Alexandria Library,
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Caused byRacial segregation in public library

Background and planning edit

The Alexandria Library was built on Queen Street in 1937 on the former Quaker Burial Ground, with the consent of the Society of Friends. It replaced a subscription library located in the former Lee Camp Hall, which had previously housed Confederate veterans. It was built with federal funds from the federal Public Works Administration and labor from the federal Works Progress Administration, as well as money donated by the family of Kate Waller Barrett, which insisted that the City of Alexandria commit to pay its operating expenses.[1][2] Although funding for the library was provided by taxes paid by everyone in the community, Black people were not permitted to use the library.[2]

Samuel Wilbert Tucker had grown up just two blocks from the site of the Alexandria Library.[2] He received his undergraduate degree from Howard University and, although he didn't attend law school, passed Virginia's bar exam in 1934, at age 20. He was sworn in the following year and began practicing law.[3] He tried for several years to petition the library to provide equal access, but with no success.[2]

Tucker developed a strategy to use the courts to force the city to allow access: the first step would be to ask for a library card, and the second would be a peaceful sit-in.[2] On March 17, 1939, Tucker and his friend, retired army sergeant George Wilson, visited the library; Wilson filled out an application for a library card, and the librarian refused Wilson's request.[4] Subsequently, Tucker sued on Wilson's behalf, claiming that Wilson's rights had been violated.[4] While the Virginia Public Assemblages Act of 1926 required racial segregation between Black and white people, it did not allow Black people to be barred entirely.[4] Tucker continued his plans by training eight local African American men between the ages of 18 and 22 in how to conduct a nonviolent protest.[4] Five of these young men would take part in the library sit-in, while the other three were kept home by parents fearful of the threat of violence.[4]

Sit-in and immediate aftermath edit

On August 21, 1939, five well-dressed young Black men entered the Alexandria Library, one by one: William Evans, Edward Gaddis, Morris Murray, Clarence Strange, and Otto L. Tucker (Samuel's brother).[2] They each politely requested a library card, and when each was refused a card by the librarian, each walked to a shelf, grabbed a book, and sat down at a table.[5] They sat at separate tables and did not speak to each other, as Tucker wanted to ensure they took no action that would justify a charge of disorderly conduct.[5] The librarian, Katherine A. Scoggins, ran to the city hall to inform the city manager of what was happening, and he called the police.[4] Tucker called the media, and over 300 spectators watched police escort the five men from the building.[5] Photographers from both white and Black newspapers were also present to record the scene.[4]

The five young men were charged with disorderly conduct, even though all witness testimony was clear that they were well-mannered throughout.[4] Tucker defended them in court, and the judge avoided issuing a ruling.[4] Meanwhile, the judge in the George Wilson case decided that Wilson had not adequately proved that he lived in Alexandria, but that Wilson should apply again and the library would be required to issue him a library card.[4]

The white Alexandria Library board continued to resist integration, stalling with intense negotiations.[2] The board quickly approved the construction of a "separate but equal" library for African Americans, which opened in April 1940.[2][6] Most books in the new Robert H. Robinson Library were donated used books or castoffs from the main Alexandria library.[6] Tucker refused an invitation to apply for a library card at this segregated branch, arguing that he should have equal access to the main library.[2]

Later developments edit

Tucker went on to serve as a lawyer for the NAACP, arguing in groundbreaking civil rights across Virginia and before the U.S. Supreme Court.[4] Virginia continued its massive resistance efforts to enforce segregation; the Alexandria Library was finally integrated to adults in 1959.[4] The Robinson library continued to provide service to Black children until 1962, when they were also allowed to use the main library.[6]

In 2019, research by the library staff showed that the judge had never issued a ruling and charges against the five men were still outstanding.[7] In October 2019, the Alexandria Circuit Court dismissed all charges, ruling that the men were "lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to free assembly, speech and to petition the government to alter the established policy of sanctioned segregation at the time of their arrest" and no charges should have been filed.[7]

Legacy edit

According to Audrey Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, the event was "an early crack in the wall of segregation", helping to pave the way for future achievements by African Americans.[5] Library scholar Brenda Mitchell-Powell discusses the significance of choosing a library as a site for civil rights protest, writing it "indicates Tucker's awareness of the centrality of libraries as settings for civic and democratic engagement and empowerment [...] ."[8] Importantly, the sit-in proved that nonviolent protest could be an effective strategy in the fight against segregation.[9]

A 1999 documentary Out of Obscurity: The Story of the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In was written and produced by Matt Spangler, including archival interview footage with members of the protest and a dramatization of the sit-in.[10]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Mitchell-Powell, Brenda (2022). Public in name only : the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in demonstration. Amherst. pp. 96–97. ISBN 978-1-62534-657-5. OCLC 1285121224.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In". Alexandria Library. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  3. ^ Silcox, Nancy Noyes (21 August 2014). "75 Years After the Alexandria Library Sit-In". The Koji Nnamdi Show (Interview). Interviewed by Koji Nnamdi. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Swain, Claudia (28 November 2016). "Alexandria Library Sit-In, 1939". Boundary Stones. WETA. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Jones, Erica (31 January 2017). "Taking a Stand: Samuel Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In". NBC Washington. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "The History of the Alexandria Black History Museum". City of Alexandria Virginia. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b "City Dismisses Charges Against 1939 Library Sit-In Participants". Alexandria Living Magazine. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  8. ^ Mitchell-Powell, Brenda (2017). "The 1939 Alexandria, Virginia, Public Library Sit-In Demonstration". In Kimball, Melanie A.; Wisser, Katherine M. (eds.). Libraries - traditions and innovations : papers from the Library History Seminar XIII. Berlin: De Gruyter. ISBN 9783110448566.
  9. ^ Sullivan, Patricia (7 August 2014). "Lawyer Samuel Tucker and his historic 1939 sit-in at segregated Alexandria library". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  10. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (19 September 2007). "Civil Rights History". Alexandria Gazette Packet. Retrieved 5 August 2020.

External links edit

Radio shows
  • 75 Years After the Alexandria Library Sit-In - The Kojo Nnamdi Show (WAMU)
Videos
  • 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In - C-SPAN
  • Out of Obscurity: The Story of the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In in libraries (WorldCat catalog)

38°48′28″N 77°2′49″W / 38.80778°N 77.04694°W / 38.80778; -77.04694

December 08, 2023
alexandria, library, first, staged, actions, united, states, pioneering, nonviolent, direct, action, demand, equal, rights, african, americans, august, 1939, five, black, down, inside, alexandria, public, library, quietly, read, books, transgression, library, . The Alexandria Library sit in was one of the first staged sit in actions in the United States pioneering the use of nonviolent direct action to demand equal rights for African Americans On August 21 1939 five Black men sat down inside the Alexandria Public Library and quietly read books a transgression of the library s whites only policy Their actions were coordinated by Alexandria attorney Samuel Wilbert Tucker who planned the action to create a test case challenging the library s racial segregation policy The men were escorted out of the library by police and charged with disorderly conduct A ruling was not filed in their court case in October 2019 all charges against the men were dismissed The Alexandria sit in is one of the earliest precursors in the U S of the strategies used during the civil rights movement Alexandria Library sit inDateAugust 21 1939LocationAlexandria Library Alexandria Virginia U S Caused byRacial segregation in public library Contents 1 Background and planning 2 Sit in and immediate aftermath 3 Later developments 4 Legacy 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksBackground and planning editThe Alexandria Library was built on Queen Street in 1937 on the former Quaker Burial Ground with the consent of the Society of Friends It replaced a subscription library located in the former Lee Camp Hall which had previously housed Confederate veterans It was built with federal funds from the federal Public Works Administration and labor from the federal Works Progress Administration as well as money donated by the family of Kate Waller Barrett which insisted that the City of Alexandria commit to pay its operating expenses 1 2 Although funding for the library was provided by taxes paid by everyone in the community Black people were not permitted to use the library 2 Samuel Wilbert Tucker had grown up just two blocks from the site of the Alexandria Library 2 He received his undergraduate degree from Howard University and although he didn t attend law school passed Virginia s bar exam in 1934 at age 20 He was sworn in the following year and began practicing law 3 He tried for several years to petition the library to provide equal access but with no success 2 Tucker developed a strategy to use the courts to force the city to allow access the first step would be to ask for a library card and the second would be a peaceful sit in 2 On March 17 1939 Tucker and his friend retired army sergeant George Wilson visited the library Wilson filled out an application for a library card and the librarian refused Wilson s request 4 Subsequently Tucker sued on Wilson s behalf claiming that Wilson s rights had been violated 4 While the Virginia Public Assemblages Act of 1926 required racial segregation between Black and white people it did not allow Black people to be barred entirely 4 Tucker continued his plans by training eight local African American men between the ages of 18 and 22 in how to conduct a nonviolent protest 4 Five of these young men would take part in the library sit in while the other three were kept home by parents fearful of the threat of violence 4 Sit in and immediate aftermath editOn August 21 1939 five well dressed young Black men entered the Alexandria Library one by one William Evans Edward Gaddis Morris Murray Clarence Strange and Otto L Tucker Samuel s brother 2 They each politely requested a library card and when each was refused a card by the librarian each walked to a shelf grabbed a book and sat down at a table 5 They sat at separate tables and did not speak to each other as Tucker wanted to ensure they took no action that would justify a charge of disorderly conduct 5 The librarian Katherine A Scoggins ran to the city hall to inform the city manager of what was happening and he called the police 4 Tucker called the media and over 300 spectators watched police escort the five men from the building 5 Photographers from both white and Black newspapers were also present to record the scene 4 The five young men were charged with disorderly conduct even though all witness testimony was clear that they were well mannered throughout 4 Tucker defended them in court and the judge avoided issuing a ruling 4 Meanwhile the judge in the George Wilson case decided that Wilson had not adequately proved that he lived in Alexandria but that Wilson should apply again and the library would be required to issue him a library card 4 The white Alexandria Library board continued to resist integration stalling with intense negotiations 2 The board quickly approved the construction of a separate but equal library for African Americans which opened in April 1940 2 6 Most books in the new Robert H Robinson Library were donated used books or castoffs from the main Alexandria library 6 Tucker refused an invitation to apply for a library card at this segregated branch arguing that he should have equal access to the main library 2 Later developments editTucker went on to serve as a lawyer for the NAACP arguing in groundbreaking civil rights across Virginia and before the U S Supreme Court 4 Virginia continued its massive resistance efforts to enforce segregation the Alexandria Library was finally integrated to adults in 1959 4 The Robinson library continued to provide service to Black children until 1962 when they were also allowed to use the main library 6 In 2019 research by the library staff showed that the judge had never issued a ruling and charges against the five men were still outstanding 7 In October 2019 the Alexandria Circuit Court dismissed all charges ruling that the men were lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to free assembly speech and to petition the government to alter the established policy of sanctioned segregation at the time of their arrest and no charges should have been filed 7 Legacy editAccording to Audrey Davis director of the Alexandria Black History Museum the event was an early crack in the wall of segregation helping to pave the way for future achievements by African Americans 5 Library scholar Brenda Mitchell Powell discusses the significance of choosing a library as a site for civil rights protest writing it indicates Tucker s awareness of the centrality of libraries as settings for civic and democratic engagement and empowerment 8 Importantly the sit in proved that nonviolent protest could be an effective strategy in the fight against segregation 9 A 1999 documentary Out of Obscurity The Story of the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit In was written and produced by Matt Spangler including archival interview footage with members of the protest and a dramatization of the sit in 10 See also editSit in movement list of sit insReferences edit Mitchell Powell Brenda 2022 Public in name only the 1939 Alexandria Library sit in demonstration Amherst pp 96 97 ISBN 978 1 62534 657 5 OCLC 1285121224 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link a b c d e f g h i 1939 Alexandria Library Sit In Alexandria Library Retrieved 5 August 2020 Silcox Nancy Noyes 21 August 2014 75 Years After the Alexandria Library Sit In The Koji Nnamdi Show Interview Interviewed by Koji Nnamdi Retrieved 5 August 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k l Swain Claudia 28 November 2016 Alexandria Library Sit In 1939 Boundary Stones WETA Retrieved 5 August 2020 a b c d Jones Erica 31 January 2017 Taking a Stand Samuel Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit In NBC Washington Retrieved 5 August 2020 a b c The History of the Alexandria Black History Museum City of Alexandria Virginia Retrieved 5 August 2020 a b City Dismisses Charges Against 1939 Library Sit In Participants Alexandria Living Magazine 20 October 2019 Retrieved 5 August 2020 Mitchell Powell Brenda 2017 The 1939 Alexandria Virginia Public Library Sit In Demonstration In Kimball Melanie A Wisser Katherine M eds Libraries traditions and innovations papers from the Library History Seminar XIII Berlin De Gruyter ISBN 9783110448566 Sullivan Patricia 7 August 2014 Lawyer Samuel Tucker and his historic 1939 sit in at segregated Alexandria library The Washington Post Retrieved 5 August 2020 Wyshynski Greg 19 September 2007 Civil Rights History Alexandria Gazette Packet Retrieved 5 August 2020 External links editRadio shows75 Years After the Alexandria Library Sit In The Kojo Nnamdi Show WAMU Videos1939 Alexandria Library Sit In C SPAN Out of Obscurity The Story of the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit In in libraries WorldCat catalog 38 48 28 N 77 2 49 W 38 80778 N 77 04694 W 38 80778 77 04694 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alexandria Library sit in amp oldid 1151729564, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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