Facing the Klan

The summer of 1964 was one to remember for almost all of the United States. There were demonstrations, protests, and marches throughout the entire country as the Civil Rights Act passed through the federal government. Both integrationists and segregationalists voiced their opinions in words and actions. In St. Augustine, the month leading up to the Civil Rights Act--as well as those following its passage--were intense. 

Those who wished for segregation to remain the law of the land attacked African American businesses. The Ku Klux Klan rallied in the streets, congregated at the Plaza, and shot at businesses and homes.

As you will see in the photographs included here, Klan rallies were done in a manner that was meant to promote fear. Their language and actions were intended to rile the crowds who gathered to speak out against white supremacy, usually inciting violence.

Some Klan rallies were held at the Plaza de la Constitution in the center of historic downtown, often gathering, as in the photo at right, in an open structure known as the "Slave Market." Signs at one rally read “kill civil rights.”

A newspaper article about one interaction in the Plaza on May 29, 1964 reported that white segregationalists stationed themselves in downtown armed with broom handles and other weapons to confront a group of African Americans who had marched from their church, St. Paul's Methodist, after listening to speakers from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference who advised them to "march with love in your hearts." They marched in silence, two by two, until they reached the Plaza where they paused to pray. 

The segregationalists gathered there yelled "God's on our side," and hollered loudly over the prayer. Soon all present heard a loud bang and chaos erupted. Press photographers were attacked as well as marchers. The African Americans returned to their church shaken by the experience. Leader C.T. Vivian addressed the crowd: “You have showed the World that you do believe in nonviolence—that you had no desire to club those who would club you. In this, no city in the nation has done so much for America as has St. Augustine.” 

Other Klan rallies marched through the African American neighbhorhood of Lincolnville intended to scare and intimidate residents into silence.

St. Augustine citizens were caught in the crosshairs of the old and the new ways of society. Many fell into the middle of things but could not avoid the polarization surrounding them. There were tensions between coworkers because some had KKK symbols on their lunchboxes.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, but its implementation was another battle to be fought. Even after the Act was passed, business owners had their shops ransacked and ruined if they integrated. Although a segregationalist himself, James Brock allowed African Americans into his Monson Motor Lodge after the law required it. His business was not only picketed by white segregationalists, but hit with three Molotov cocktails.