F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E A Few Tickets Left For Freedom Trail Luncheon

After a tremendous demand, there are only a few tickets left to attend the Fourth Annual ACCORD Freedom Trail Luncheon, which will take place at the Casa Monica Hotel on Friday July 2 at 11:30 AM. The date marks the 46th Anniversary of the signing of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the luncheon honors the local heroes and sheroes of the St. Augustine Movement led by Dr. Robert B. Hayling, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

United States Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta, an original Freedom Rider (along with St. Augustinian Hank Thomas) and one of the "Big Six " leaders of the civil rights movement who spoke at the famous March on Washington in 1963 will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Kathryn Fentress, guest speaker, was labeled an ‘outside agitator’ when she came here 46 years ago, though her home was in nearby Ormond Beach. She was arrested June 11, 1964, on the steps of the Monson Motor Lodge Restaurant along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Rev. William England (Chaplain of Boston University), and Clyde Jenkins for seeking to be served. She spent her 20th birthday here in jail.

The second Dr. Robert B. Hayling Award of Valor, sponsored by Florida State Senator Anthony Hill will be presented to Mr. Clyde Jenkins. He was a local barber beaten unmercifully in 1963 at a Ku Klux Klan rally near the modern-day Big Lots store, along with Dr. Hayling, James Jackson, and the late James Hauser. Later, in 1964 he was arrested on the steps of the Monson Motor Lodge Restaurant for seeking service. One of the iconic photographs of the civil rights movement shows Jenkins and Martin Luther King in the St. Johns County Jail (which is now the Detention Center Annex at 4025 Lewis Speedway, where a Freedom Trail marker will be unveiled as part of the day's ceremonies).

Events on July 2nd are open to the public on a first reserved/first served basis. Please contact Elizabeth at (904) 347-1382 or Audrey (904) 829-3996 for tickets and/or information.

8:00 AM Breakfast with Congressman Lewis, Casa Monica Hotel. 9:00 AM Red Sightseeing Bus transports patrons to the St. Johns County Jail complex, from the Casa Monica Hotel (complimentary and limited seating--others may go by car). 9:15 AM Dedication and Unveiling of ACCORD Freedom Trail Marker at the former County Jail, presented by the Northrop Grumman Corporation 11:30 AM Luncheon at the Casa Monica Hotel

Gwendolyn Duncan, President The 40th ACCORD, Inc. www.accordfreedomtrail.org