Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Edwards v. S.C.
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 13, 2022
1. Edwards v. S.C. Marker
On March 2, 1961, over 200 African American college and high school students marched 6 blocks from Zion Baptist Church to the S.C. State House in an NAACP-organized protest of racial segregation. Led by Benedict College theology student David Carter, protesters walked the capitol grounds, carried signs, and, when ordered to disperse, sang patriotic and religious songs. Despite the orderly nature of the protest. 190 people were arrested for disturbing the peace.
Defended by NAACP lawyers. including local attorneys Matthew Perry and Lincoln C. Jenkins Jr. 187 students appealed their convictions to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1963, the Court ruled 8-1 that the arrests violated the 1st and 14th Amendments. The decision, styled Edwards v. South Carolina after lead plaintiff James Edwards Jr. was a landmark ruling cited to defend activists across the U.S. declaring states may not "make criminal the peaceful expression of unpopular views."
Erected 2020 by Columbia S.C. 63. (Marker Number 40 214.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1961.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: March 2, 1961 Peaceful State House Protest (here, next to this marker); Burning Of Columbia (a few steps from this marker); The East-West Streets In The City Of Columbia / Gervais Street (a few steps from this marker); Columbia SC 63 (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbia in the 1960's (within shouting distance of this marker); The Architecture of Strength (within shouting distance of this marker); The North-South Streets in The City Of Columbia / Richardson Street (within shouting distance of this marker); South Carolina Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Additional keywords. Edwards v. S.C. | Edwards v. S.C.
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 13, 2022
2. Edwards v. S.C. Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 13, 2022
3. Edwards v. S.C. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 70 times this year. Last updated on March 29, 2023, by C.F. Bruce of Columbia, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 16, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
