The Jacksonville NAACP

The Jacksonville Branch NAACP
Commemorates the
50th Anniversary of the
1960 Lunch Counter Sit-in Demonstrations and Ax Handle Saturday
and Celebrates its
45th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner

(Jacksonville, Florida-May 14, 2010) In August 2010, the Jacksonville, Florida Branch NAACP will mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1960 Lunch Counter Sit-in Demonstrations and Ax Handle Saturday. Four days of commemorative activities will kick off on August 25, 2010 featuring talks and presentations, a very special program at the Ritz Theatre and Museum, panel discussions featuring noted civil rights activists, scholars, and historians, a special NAACP Mass Meeting (which will commemorate the actual anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday), and a civil rights film festival. All activities will culminate on the evening of August 28, 2010 with the Jacksonville Branch NAACP 45th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner featuring Keynote Speaker Kweisi Mfume.

In addition to listed events and speakers, commemorative activities will also feature Dr. James Loewen, Professor Emeritus, University of Vermont and author of “Lies My Teacher Told Me”; human rights activist, folklorist, and humanitarian, Stetson Kennedy; Charlie Cobb, SNCC co-founder, noted journalist and author of “On the Road to Freedom”; Rodney L. Hurst, Sr., Youth Council NAACP President in 1960 (me); and the long awaited reunion of members of the 1960 Jacksonville Youth Council. Additional guest speakers and events are also being added. Events are free and open to the public. However, the Freedom Fund Dinner is $60.00 per person.

For additional information and to purchase Freedom Fund Dinner tickets, please contact Isaiah Rumlin at 904 764-1753, Rodney Hurst at 904 764-9038, Sandra Thompson at 904 768-1086, or Elnora Atkins 768-8697.

Scheduled events
Wednesday - August 25, 2010
Opening Program and Reception
Ritz Theater and Museum
829 North Davis Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
6:00-8:00 pm

Thursday - August 26, 2010
A VERY SPECIAL PRESENTATION AT THE RITZ THEATRE AND MUSEUM
Ritz Theater and Museum
6:00- 7:30 pm

Friday - August 27, 2010
Commemorative Mass Meeting-
Bethel Baptist Institutional Church
Speaker-Rev. Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr.
6:30 pm

Saturday August 28, 2010
Civil Rights Film Festival–
“Scarred Justice: Orangeburg Massacre 1968”
W/Sandra Birnhak
“The Viola Liuzzo Story”
“Freedom Never Dies-The Harry T. Moore Story”
Ritz Theatre and Museum
10:00 am-3:00 pm

45th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner
Downtown Hyatt Hotel
225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville
Speaker-Kweisi Mfume
Tickets $60.00
7:00 pm