Andrew Young Crossing dedication today

Forty-seven years ago, on June 9, 1964, Andrew Jackson Young, Jr., tried, unsuccessfully, to cross through a hostile mob of segregationists as he led a group of peaceful Civil Rights demonstrators east on King Street towards the Plaza.

Historic City News was on hand this morning when Young made a similar walk — this time arm-in-arm with the new bishop for the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, Felipe Estevez; followed by more than fifty friends, supporters, government officials and law enforcement officials from the City, County and Florida National Guard.

Young made the crossing through King Street and St. George Street that he was denied nearly five decades before, and, today, the only demonstrator was 65 year-old Betty Jean (B. J.) Kalaidi waving her signs in protest of the City’s “Adult Entertainment” zoning and their subsidy of the defunct First America Foundation.

At 10:00 a.m. this morning, the City of St. Augustine unveiled the new street sign commemorating the re-named intersection “Andrew Young Crossing” as well as the sidewalk monument that also bares Young’s name.

Speakers at this morning’s dedication ceremony included Mayor Joseph L. Boles, Jr., City Commissioner Errol Jones, monument designer Jeremy Marquis, who is a Landscape Architect with Halback Design Group, and, the guest of honor, Andrew J. Young, Jr.; who has served as a U.S. Ambassador, U.S. Congressman, Mayor of Atlanta, Minister and Civil Rights leader.

Former U.S. Senator George S. McGovern sat with Young at the dedication and spoke at a Civil Rights Luncheon held at the Casa Monica following the ceremony. Also attending and speaking at the luncheon was the son of Andrew Young’s mentor and leader in the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, III; President and CEO of The King Center.

Two videos, “The Making of Andrew Young Crossing” and a video of remarks by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in St. Augustine on June 16, 1964, were shown to the audience during lunch.

Additional speakers included Educator Billye Aaron, Hotelier Kanti Patel, Landscape Architect Michelle Regan as well as Civil Rights and community leader Cora Tyson.

The invocation was delivered by Bishop Estevez and the benediction delivered by Pastor Ronald Stafford of the New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer