About this Event
Civil Rights Legend Peter Johson at Allen Heritage Village - Rev. Peter Johson was an eyewitness to one of the most pivotal chapters in American History-Civil Rights. Collaborating with Rev. Ralph Abernathy, future congressman John Lewis, and future ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. Johnson will share his thrilling saga at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 252 E. St. Mary Dr., Allen Christian Church located in Allen Heritage Village.
Rev. Johnson arrived in the Dallas area in 1969, and registering Blacks to vote was one of his key assignments. Until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was ratified, many Blacks had been denied the precious right to vote. John Lewis founded the Voter Education Project, and Rev. Johnson helped spearhead that project in Dallas. Rev. Johnson recruited students from Bishop College to knock on doors and stand in front of grocery stores to register black voters.
After Dr. King's M**der in 1968, his widow Coretta and their children were left with very little. Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte helped fund a documentary, "King: A Filmed Record - Montgomery to Memphis." Screenings were scheduled in 800 theatres around the world to raise money for the King family, but Dallas theatres refused to show it. Find out how Rev. Johnson changed the minds of Dallasites.
Sponsored by the Allen Public Library, the program is free. Call 214-509-4911.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Allen Heritage Village, 450 Saint Mary Drive, Allen, United States
