U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site

1936 11th Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 4, 2021

1. New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site Marker

Inscription. In 1933 the New Negro Alliance instituted then-radial "Don't Buy Where You Can't Work" campaigns: boycotts and pickets of white-owned businesses in black neighborhoods, including the Sanitary Grocery (forerunner of Safeway) at this address. Most businesses, struggling during the Great Depression, gave in quickly and hired black clerks. However, two argued that NNA had no right to picket where protesters didn't work, and went to court to stop the campaign. NNA lawyers, including William Hastie, Belford Lawson, and Thurgood Marshall, sued all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1938 the Court ruled in favor of the Alliance, confirming the right to picket.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 38° 55.002′ N, 77° 1.632′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. Marker is on 11th Street Northwest just south of U Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 1936 11th St NW, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "We had everything we needed right here." (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial Bank of Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); African American Civil War Memorial (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named African American Civil War Memorial (about 300 feet away); The True Reformer Building (about 400 feet away); Evans-Tibbs House (about 400 feet away); Ben's Chili Bowl / Minnehaha Theater (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Additional keywords. Free Speech court cases

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 4, 2021

2. New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.