On Saturday, March 22, 2014, Second Presbyterian Church and Independent Presbyterian Church held an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the kneel-in protests at Second Presbyterian Church.

In 1964 these protests, led by a multi-racial group of college students, were held as African Americans were prevented from attending our worship services.

Members from Second and Independent Presbyterian Church, protest participants and their family members, and Stephen Haynes, author of The Last Segregated Hour, gathered together to not only look back at the past, but to also look forward on the progress that has been made since this time, and at how racial reconciliation can continue to advance in our city.

Event Audio

Opening Comments, Sandy Willson, Richie Sessions, Larry Jensen
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Historical Presentation, Stephen Haynes, author of The Last Segregated Hour
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Comments from Kneel-In Participant, Jim Bullock
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Comments from Kneel-In Participant, Carolyn Purdy McGhee
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Report on Progress at Second Presbyterian Church, Larry Jensen
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Report on Progress at Independent Presbyterian Church, Richie Sessions
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Current Issues, Michael Rhodes, Jr.
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Closing Prayer and Comments
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Panel Discussion, Larry Jensen, moderator
with Stephen Haynes, Lillian Hammond, Richie Sessions, and Sandy Willson
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Resources

Sandy Willson: Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the First Kneel-In

Steps: A Remembrance of the 1964 Kneel-Ins Program (PDF)

Statement Regarding Race Relations at Second

The Last Segregated Hour: The Memphis Kneel-Ins and the Campaign for Southern Church Desegregation