Alpharetta area history includes significant events when it comes to civil rights. While the city may not be as well-known as some other locations in the South when it comes to civil rights events, it played a role in the fight for equality.
- The Roswell Railroad Incident
One of the most notable civil rights events to occur around Alpharetta, Georgia, was the Roswell Railroad Incident. On July 25, 1903, a group of African American laborers, who were working for the Southern Railroad Company, refused to work because they had not been paid. The white supervisor responded to their refusal by opening fire on them, killing two of the laborers and injuring others The incident sparked outrage among the African American community and led to protests and demands for justice. The incident was a significant moment in the early civil rights movement and helped to raise awareness about the need for fair treatment and justice for all.
- The 1960 Student Protests
In 1960, a group of African American students at Alpharetta’s Milton High School staged a protest against segregation. The students were inspired by the sit-ins that were taking place throughout the South at the time, and they decided to take action in their own community. The students organized a walkout and marched to the courthouse in Alpharetta, where they demanded an end to segregation in the city’s schools. The protest was met with resistance, and the students were threatened with expulsion from school. However, the protest was a turning point in the fight for civil rights in Alpharetta, and it inspired other students and community members to take action.
- The Alpharetta Sit-In
In 1961, a group of African American students from Alpharetta High School staged a sit-in at a local Woolworth’s store. The students were protesting the store’s policy of segregating its lunch counters. The sit-in lasted for several weeks, and the students were subjected to harassment and violence from white supremacists. Despite the violence, the sit-in was successful in raising awareness about the issue of segregation and helped to inspire other protests throughout the South.
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that prohibited racial discrimination in voting. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and was a direct response to the widespread voter suppression that was taking place throughout the South, including in Georgia. The act helped to ensure that African Americans and other minority groups had equal access to the ballot box and was a major victory for the civil rights movement. Alpharetta played a role in the fight for voting rights, with local activists and organizations working tirelessly to ensure that all citizens had the right to vote.
- The Integration of Alpharetta’s Schools
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Alpharetta’s schools were gradually integrated, thanks in large part to the efforts of local civil rights activists and organizations. The process was not without its challenges, and there were protests and acts of violence by white supremacists who opposed integration. However, the integration of Alpharetta’s schools was a major victory for the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that all students had equal access to education.
