Atlantic City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A. Phillip Randolph
The Road to Equality Runs Through Atlantic City
"Therefore, the labor movement, representing great masses of workers, has the moral responsibility for its commitment to the principle of civil rights."
A. Phillip Randolph in his address in support of resolution 83 during the 1957 AFL-CIO Convention held in Atlantic City.
The close ties between organized labor and the civil rights movement are personified in the story of A. Phillip Randolph, the founder of The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first African-American labor union. Randolph also served as Vice-President of the AFL-CIO where he relentlessly fought for equality amongst all workers. Randolph believed that economic equality was the key to ending discrimination.
Resolution 83 was a direct result of Randolph's influence on the labor movement. The resolution and Randolph's subsequent founding of the NALC laid the groundwork for the end of discrimination in the workplace.
The road to equality took many turns during the next seven years; Birmingham and Montgomery AL., the doors of Mississippi State University, and finally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington in 1963, an event which was conceived of, organized by and coordinated under the direction of A. Phillip Randolph.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 39° 21.226′ N, 74° 26.26′ W. Marker is in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in Atlantic County. Marker is on Boardwalk just west of South Mississippi Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlantic City NJ 08401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Workers' Memorial Monument (here, next to this marker); Walter P. Reuther (here, next to this marker); John L. Lewis (here, next to this marker); Atlantic City Workers Monument (here, next to this marker); Fannie Lou Hamer (a few steps from this marker); Seymour "Pinky" Kravitz (within shouting distance of this marker); Casino Control Act (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlantic City.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
