Students invited to Civil Rights documentary screening

Gwendolyn Duncan, reported to Historic City News that the 40th ACCORD, Inc., is looking for volunteers to assist with seating, student decorum, and refreshments, when a free screening of “Dare Not Walk Alone” is shown at the Willie Galimore Community Center.

The documentary film was conceived in 2003 by Flagler College alumnus Jeremy Dean, after he volunteered to restore a stained glass window in a historically black Lincolnville church.

While still a Flagler student and working on the project, Dean learned of the events of 1964, protests, beatings, and a brilliant campaign of non-violent civil disobedience that led to the passage of the first civil rights act.

Dean previously told reporters that he was honored to help preserve a place where Dr. King once stood, side-by-side with Jackie Robinson, to rally supporters. Dean said that he was angry that the St Augustine part of the civil rights story was not taught in school.

Dean waited tables to finance the film, which contains archive footage that had never aired and interviews with the people who put their lives on the line in 1964 in the fight for equality. “Dare Not Walk Alone” was first shown in 2006 and was signed by Indican Pictures for theatrical release in 2007.

The 40th ACCORD will present the film to St Johns County students at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at the Galimore Center on Riberia Street in St Augustine. Refreshments will be served, Duncan said.

To volunteer call Gwen Duncan at (386) 283-4055.

The 40th ACCORD, Inc.’s mission is remembering, recognizing, and honoring all those who risked their lives to attain civil rights for all and celebrating St. Augustine’s pivotal role in the passage of the Landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. This is one more aspect in educating the public on one of the greatest events that took place in American History during the 20th Century: particularly the Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Robert B. Hayling, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, in 1963-64.