Fredericksburg to Host Historic Panel for 1950 Walker-Grant High School Student Protest

FREDRICKSBURG, Va. (WWBT) – The city of Fredericksburg will unveil a sign commemorating a 1950 Walker-Grant High School student protest organized by the graduating class.

In June 1950, Walker-Grant High School’s largest graduating class was looking for a place to hold their debut, they were denied access to the Fredericksburg Community Center due to the color of their skin. The 27 graduates were able to hold their ceremony at the Shiloh Baptist Church, but first they made sure to demonstrate outside the community center with signs that read “This entrance is closed in the United States.”

The names of the graduates will be read at the commemoration of the unveiling. Speakers include Sonny Holmes, who encouraged the city to tell this story.

The event will take place February 10 starting at 1 p.m. in front of the Dorothy Hart Community Center at 408 Canal Street. It will also be streamed live on Fredericksburg’s Facebook page.

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the panel will be held under a tent, guests will be provided with seats, and masks will be required. For more information, visit VisitFred.com.

Copyright 2022 WWBT. All rights reserved.

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