In Forsyth County, Georgia the major industry is poultry farming. Forsyth County is about 40 miles from Atlanta. If you are an African-American you can cross those county lines during daylight hours but not during the night. No non-whites were permitted to live in Forsyth in 1987...did you think this was before the 60's? It was 1987, can you believe it? Only 18 years ago. On January 17, 1987 a march took place to peacefully tell Forsyth residents to wake up and join the rest of the country, it was not the 1950's anymore. The original planner did not march...possibly the reason for his withdraw was multiple death threats?? Ninety people participated in that first "non-violent" march in Forsyth. They were pelted with rocks and bottles. The marchers were so overwhelmed by the violent attacks of angry whites, including members of the Ku Klux Klan that they could not continue. The ignorant thought they had gained a victory but did not realize the whole country saw how ridiculous they were. Another peaceful march was scheduled for January 24th, 1987. A co-worker of mine and I, planned to participate. This march was to be led by Coretta Scott King and Hosea Williams. People from all over the country drove or flew to Atlanta to participate in this march. There were famous faces and college students from far away. Most met at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change, where we waited to board one of the 100 buses waiting to take us to Forsyth. Seventy additional buses came from other locations. As we approached Forsyth County, I began to get nervous. These people were serious and their backwards mentality was frightening, especially when we saw a dummy hanging from a bridge and numerous racial hatred signs. The dummy was made up to look like a black man being lynched. Confederate flags were everywhere. I think it was that moment that it really struck me that these people were not normal. After the buses reached their destination, we got off and were organized into lines, one after the other. We were given safety instructions, told to lock arms if the going got tough and we were also told to remain quiet, even when yelled at by counter- demonstrators. I could not comprehend the amount of hatred that we were greeted with. You could feel it in the air. We had to be protected by men with uniforms. There were 20,000 marchers and only 2,000 counter-demonstrators. I think Forsyth was a little shocked at the numbers. The marchers were protected by 3,000 lawmen including National Guardsmen. One-third of the marchers were white. We had a one-mile journey ahead of us. It was a terrifying one mile walk. True hatred was in the air. I am not used to that feeling. The fear and disbelief were overwhelming. Disbelief, because it was like watching a documentary on T.V. about the 60's not real life in the late 80's...a time machine experience. Coming from above was the sound of multiple press helicopters and of course, the yelling of the counter-demonstrators, otherwise things were silent. I think the rest of the marchers were as shocked as I was, everyone in their own little world of stunned awe but each continuing to walk. I knew I was apart of history. This was the largest civil rights march in twenty years. Between us and them were 3,000 different types of lawmen. It was a sight I will never forget. Marchers as far as the eye could see. National Guardsmen outfitted with fatigues, helmets with face guards and riot sticks. Goofs on the other side of the lawmen in white robes and pointy hats or people draped in confederate flags. They looked a little like cartoon characters but frightening characters like Cruella DeVille. Every major and minor news network was represented. There was even a crew from Germany. Yes, the rest of the world saw that America has places where ignorant racism rules. One reporter from Birmingham tried to report on the march and was quickly covered with spit and mud. She was not white. To give you an idea of the mentality of the counter- demonstrators, here are a few shining citizen quotes: " One man said, "Thank God for James Earl Ray (MLK Jr.'s assassin.)" " "I don't mind blacks working here, I just don't want them living by me." " "I done gone through this once. Don't nobody rub nothing in my face." " "I'm here to demand that white people have the same rights as blacks. We believe in equal rights but n_ _ _ _ _ _ want it all." " One brilliant woman carried a sign that read, "Go Home, Niger." The predominant attaire of the counter-demonstrators was army fatigues, T-shirts advertising beer or wine coolers, plaid flannel, confederate flag wear and an occasional Nazi swastika. This day was peaceful for the most part. There were 60 arrests...all counter-demonstrators, this includes the infamous David Duke. Only one incident of rock throwing took place and it was quickly ended by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Only two demonstrators were injured during the march. One man was hit by a brick a counter-demonstrator threw and another woman was struck with a pipe. One African American man suffered minor cuts when an anti-demonstrator smashed a concrete block into the windshield of his car after the march. No one seems to understand how important this day was to me. Where are you Maggie? I overcame my fear, stepped way out of my comfort zone and most importantly, felt like I did something meaningful. I was part of making a difference. |
