On March 2, 1961, hundreds of students marched at the South Carolina State House in a demonstration against segregation. After a peaceful protest where they sang patriotic songs and hymns, almost 200 of the protesters were arrested and convicted of disturbing the peace. When 187 protesters appealed their conviction, their case, Edwards v. South Carolina was appealed to the United States Supreme Court, where their convictions were overturned and the first amendment rights of protesters were upheld. This pivotal case has been used as a precedent to protect the rights of protesters ever since.

On March 2, 2021, the UofSC Center for Civil Rights History and Research, in partnership with Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters, the City of Columbia, and Historic Columbia will honor the marchers by unveiling a historic marker for the 60th anniversary of the 1961 State House demonstration. The marker is generously funded by Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters.

Join us virtually as we stream it live!
https://bit.ly/3dWIz0V

News Coverage:
WLTX NEWS19: https://www.wltx.com/video/news/local/black-history/historical-civil-rights-marker-unveiled-near-state-house/101-6ba75545-ca21-4ef2-b4f1-b1ffd44084e8