Broadside advertising A Pilgrimage of Prayer for Public Schools, January 1, 1959 in Richmond, Va. At this event, organizers played a seven-minute pre-recorded message from Dr. King. A
description of the event by Wyatt Tee Walker as reported to Dr. King is available online. More than 1,500 people attended.
Text:
Martin Luther King joins your Religious and Civic Leaders in Urging All Virginians to Come to Richmond in A Pilgrimage For Public Schools on EMANCIPATION DAY January 1, 1959.
You will assemble at THE MOSQUE Laurel and Main Streets promptly at 2:30 P.M.
"Let us not deceive ourselves! We have among us politicians who will not hesitate to CLOSE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA. We must demonstrate to Virginia and the nation by our presence and action that we will not tolerate this crime against Virginia's children." --Dr. Philip Y. Wyatt
WHICH WILL IT BE? Free Eduation? or Closed Schools?
"Only through the preservation of a free, desegregated public school system can a people be fully emancipated from the shackles of prejudice and inequality. American democracy itself is at stake. This is your pilgrimage." --The Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker