WSB-TV (Television station : Atlanta, Ga.)

Description

In this WSB newsfilm clip from the Pickrick restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia in 1964, restaurant owner, segregationist, and future governor Lester Maddox greets customers. Maddox walks through the restaurant greeting customers by name and asking them about their meal. At the check-out stand, a young man takes payment and sells United States flags. A sign advertises a copy of the Declaration of Independence selling for thirty-five cents. A black-colored bird in a cage whistles in the background. On July 2, 1964 president Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act which prohibited segregation in businesses serving the public. Two days later three African American ministers unsuccessfully tried to integrate the Pickrick and were turned away by a gun pointed at them by Lester Maddox. Maddox publicly announced he would go to jail before serving African Americans, even after being charged in court for pointing a gun at the men and continued to keep ax handles, "Pickrick drumsticks" near the door of his restaurant in order to keep African Americans out. On July 22 in a case against the Pickrick and the white-only Heart of Atlanta Motel, owned by attorney Moreton Rolleston, a federal court upheld the Civil Rights act and issued an injunction beginning August 11 against both businesses prohibiting them from denying service to customers based on color or race. Lawyers appealed the case to the United States Supreme Court which heard the case in October; while waiting for the court to hear the case the Heart of...

Record Contributed By

Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia