Hayling will receive award at Freedom Trail Luncheon

The 7th Annual ACCORD Freedom Trail Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on July 2, 2013, at the beautiful and historic Casa Monica Hotel, according to an announcement from Gwendolyn Duncan received by Historic City News.

The luncheon is held annually to commemorate the signing of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, to honor the “heroes” and “sheroes” of the St Augustine Movement and to maintain 31 markers on the ACCORD Freedom Trail of Historic Sites.

“As a fifteen year old student, St Augustine native, Joanne Willis was arrested and jailed over four times during the 1964 Civil Rights Movement,” Duncan told reporters. “She now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, but will return to share her courageous story as our keynote speaker.”

Dr. Anthony ‘Tony’ Hill, Federal Policy Director for Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, the first African American Mayor elected to the office in the city’s history, will again be the emcee for the event.

Dr. Hill sponsors the Annual Dr. R B Hayling Award of Valor: an award given to an activist for his or her exemplary and courageous acts displayed during the St Augustine Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s.

A highlight of this year’s luncheon will be the presentation of the Order of La Florida award to Dr. Robert B. Hayling by members of the St Augustine City Commission.

Tickets are on sale now and are $45 per person. Corporate tables are also available. During the past few years, the luncheon has been a “sold-out” summer event. Last year’s event, held at the historic Ponce de Leon Dining Hall, drew attendees from Asia, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.

For more information, please contact June at (386) 447-6269 or Audrey (904) 829-3996.