Albany in Dougherty County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Freedom Alley and City Hall
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 5, 2018
1. Freedom Alley and City Hall Marker
During the Albany Movement (1961-1963), as part of the Civil Rights Movement, the area here bordering the former Albany City Hall and jail became known as Freedom Alley. Located at what is now the Central Square Government Complex, the location served as a holding spot as hundreds of Civil Rights protestors awaited booking during police chief Laurie Pritchett’s campaign of mass arrests. To avoid violent confrontations and charges of violating civil rights, Pritchett authorized arrests for minor offenses, which were harder to dispute in court. Using this tactic, Pritchett’s police force arrested far more inmates than the Albany jail could hold, and many protestors were sent to jails in neighboring counties. As many as 1,500 protestors were arrested. Many demonstrators, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., were arrested and jailed multiple times during the Albany Movement.Erected 2018 by the Georgia Historical Society, Albany Civil Rights Institute, Inc., and Albany-Dougherty Historic Preservation Commission. (Marker Number 47-5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 5, 2018
2. Marker near the Central Square Government Complex.
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Location. 31° 34.695′ N, 84° 9.171′ W. Marker is in Albany, Georgia, in Dougherty County. Marker is on Pine Avenue east of North Jackson Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 Pine Avenue, Albany GA 31701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colonel Nelson Tift (within shouting distance of this marker); Dougherty County (within shouting distance of this marker); British Royal Air Force Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); City of Albany (about 400 feet away); Albany Lights (about 500 feet away); Albany Theatre (about 500 feet away); Albany Municipal Auditorium (about 500 feet away); Carnegie Library (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.
Also see . . .
1. The New Georgia Encyclopedia article about the Albany Movement. (Submitted on May 5, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Wikipedia article about the Albany Movement. (Submitted on May 5, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 5, 2018
3. A nearby Albany Movement marker located 150 feet west
Freedom Alley in the Albany Movement / Police Arrests of Demonstrators in the Albany Movement
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
