Chelsea in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, May 11, 2019
1. Bayard Rustin (1912- 1987) Marker
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Bayard Rustin (1912-1987). . Bayard Rustin was an essential figure in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement who shaped many of the core principles, strategies, and defining events.
Beginning in the 1940s, Rustin spearheaded efforts to dismantle racial discrimination and segregation laws in the U.S. using Gandhian nonviolent methods. Convinced that these tactics could transform struggles for black American liberation and equality. Rustin organized and led civil disobedience actions across the country, including many of the first freedom rides and sit-ins. These pioneering acts would become the blueprints for major racial justice campaigns that advanced groundbreaking legislation and roused the national consciousness.
When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first emerged as a leader during the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-56, Rustin introduced King to the foundations of nonviolent direct action. Rustin became a trusted mentor and advisor to King, and served the growing movement from behind the scenes as a strategist, writer, founder of key coalitions, and architect of major mobilizations.
In 1963, facing violent backlash and seeking a political breakthrough, movement leaders called for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and chose Rustin to be its chief organizer. Masterfully planned and orchestrated, it was the largest demonstration in the nation’s history, and was instrumental in galvanizing support for landmark federal civil rights laws.
The era and its legacy are imbued with Rustin’s vision. With his influence, nonviolent resistance became the moral and strategic cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement.
Throughout his rich and varied life, Rustin lent his talents and expertise to a diverse array of social causes ranging from global peace to economic justice, often alongside his mentor, civil rights and labor leader A. Philip Randolph.
Rustin was an openly and unapologetically gay black man in an era of intense discrimination. It took decades for Rustin to be recognized for his central roles in numerous fights for equality and human dignity.
Bayard Rustin was an essential figure in the
U.S. Civil Rights Movement who shaped many of
the core principles, strategies, and defining events.
Beginning in the 1940s, Rustin spearheaded
efforts to dismantle racial discrimination and
segregation laws in the U.S. using Gandhian
nonviolent methods. Convinced that these tactics
could transform struggles for black American
liberation and equality. Rustin organized and led
civil disobedience actions across the country,
including many of the first freedom rides and
sit-ins. These pioneering acts would become the
blueprints for major racial justice campaigns
that advanced groundbreaking legislation and
roused the national consciousness.
When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first emerged
as a leader during the Montgomery Bus Boycott
of 1955-56, Rustin introduced King to the
foundations of nonviolent direct action. Rustin
became a trusted mentor and advisor to King,
and served the growing movement from behind
the scenes as a strategist, writer, founder of key
coalitions, and architect of major mobilizations.
In 1963, facing violent backlash and seeking a
political breakthrough, movement leaders called
for the March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom, and chose Rustin to be its chief
organizer. Masterfully planned and orchestrated,
it was the largest demonstration
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in the nation’s
history, and was instrumental in galvanizing
support for landmark federal civil rights laws.
The era and its legacy are imbued with Rustin’s
vision. With his influence, nonviolent resistance
became the moral and strategic cornerstone of
the Civil Rights Movement.
Throughout his rich and varied life, Rustin lent
his talents and expertise to a diverse array of
social causes ranging from global peace to
economic justice, often alongside his mentor,
civil rights and labor leader A. Philip Randolph.
Rustin was an openly and unapologetically gay
black man in an era of intense discrimination.
It took decades for Rustin to be recognized for
his central roles in numerous fights for equality
and human dignity.
Location. 40° 44.966′ N, 73° 59.867′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Chelsea. Marker is on West 28th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 340 West 28th Street, New York NY 10001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Full title is: In front of 170 W 130 St., March on Washington, l to r Bayard Rustin, Deputy Director, Cleveland Robinson, Chairman of Administrative Committee / World Telegram & Sun photo by O. Fernandez.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 23, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 5. submitted on May 24, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
