Near Lisbon in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Friendship CME Church
Photographed By Wesley Harris, July 9, 2020
1. Friendship CME Church Marker
Inscription.
Friendship CME Church. . From 1965-1937, the Friendship CME Church served as the house of worship in Claiborne Parish where the Claiborne Parish Civic League (CLPL), a local activist organization, met and organized plans to bring fair and just changes throughout the parish and North Louisiana. The push for voter registration was a primary focus of the Claiborne Parish Civic League. Mr. Fred Lewis, CPCL President, led in bringing about an action in United States District Court in Shreveport challenging the constitutionality of the apportionment of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury and the Claiborne Parish School Board, which would affect an unfavorable voting outcome of an election. The court declared that the police jury and school board of Claiborne Parish were malapportioned in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This decree resulted in less intimidating and more equitable voting experiences for African-Americans throughout the parish. Soon thereafter, African-Americans were being elected to local offices and being appointed to serve in capacities that were previously off-limits to them.
From 1965-1937, the Friendship CME Church served as the house of worship in Claiborne Parish where the Claiborne Parish Civic League (CLPL), a local activist organization, met and organized plans to bring fair and just changes throughout the parish and North Louisiana. The push for voter registration was a primary focus of the Claiborne Parish Civic League. Mr. Fred Lewis, CPCL President, led in bringing about an action in United States District Court in Shreveport challenging the constitutionality of the apportionment of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury and the Claiborne Parish School Board, which would affect an unfavorable voting outcome of an election. The court declared that the police jury and school board of Claiborne Parish were malapportioned in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This decree resulted in less intimidating and more equitable voting experiences for African-Americans throughout the parish. Soon thereafter, African-Americans were being elected to local offices and being appointed to serve in capacities that were previously off-limits to them.
Erected by Friendship Historical Marker Committee and Donors.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
Location. 32° 51.325′ N, 92° 52.612′ W. Marker is near Lisbon, Louisiana, in Claiborne Parish. Marker is on Friendship Road just west of Wright Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1526 Friendship Rd, Homer LA 71040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2021, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on August 23, 2021, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. 2. submitted on August 24, 2021, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the nearby church in relation to marker. • Can you help?
