[AGL] Theater stand-ins in Austin 1961 or so

[michele mason]

I haven't read the other responses, but yes, it was the picadilly—the  
height of my day, downtown, spent with my grandmother. Later on we  
did picket there—sometimes going up to City Council chamber. I don't  
remember how many times, but Volma was leading in his quiet, but  
persistent, manner. After years of not seeing one another, I called  
him. He had just written a book and wanted me to meet his publisher.  
He sounded very well and happy and a few days later, he passed. What  
a dear, dear couple. He didn't mention Mrs. Overton and I couldn't  
attend the funeral, so I don't know whether to call her, or check the  
library. Does anyone know where to look, or maybe even have a copy of  
the book? You know, I bet HT has a copy. I started a book a few years  
ago. His would probably help get motivated again.
Anyway, thanks for the memories.  mm

On Jul 17, 2010, at 11:55 AM, Fontaine Maverick wrote:


> was that the picadilly?

>

> From: Michael Eisenstadt <mike.eisenstadt at gmail.com>

> To: survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s  

> <austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>

> Sent: Sat, July 17, 2010 9:51:19 AM

> Subject: Re: [AGL] Theater stand-ins in Austin 1961 or so

>

> What was the name of the cafeteria on Congress & 9th

> (where Chipotle is now)? It was a chain headquartered

> in Louisiana and was segrated until the Civil Rights act

> was passed. I don't remember it being picketed but maybe

> it was.

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: "Fontaine Maverick" <fontainem at att.net>

> To: "Frances Morey" <frances_morey at yahoo.com>; "survivors'  

> reminiscences

> about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s" <austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>

> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 8:34 AM

> Subject: Re: [AGL] Theater stand-ins in Austin 1961 or so

>

>

> > This is interesting. I hadn't remembered that about the Night  

> Hawk. In the

> sixth

> > grade (58?), I went to Woolworth's for grilled cheese before the  

> movie at

> the

> > Paramount or State & didn't even notice that neither was  

> integrated. As a

> 12

> > year old from San Antonio, I was blissfully unaware of the  

> "colored only"

> > restrooms on the outskirts of Austin. Took a greyhound down to  

> Lockhart to

> see

> > my recently transplanted best friend and was shocked to see one  

> as I gazed

> out

> > of the bus. Woke me the hell up. It wasn't much later that my mom  

> started

> taking

> > me to the Varsity stand-ins.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Frances Morey <Frances_Morey at yahoo.com>

> > To: survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s

> > <austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>

> > Sent: Sat, July 17, 2010 12:36:59 AM

> > Subject: Re: [AGL] Theater stand-ins in Austin 1961 or so

> >

> >

> > Harry Akins as mayor had a meeting with the other restaurant  

> owners and

> told

> > them that if they all integrate their facilities at the same time  

> then

> there

> > would be no grounds for singling out any one of them to effectively

> boycott over

> > the issue. They saw the logic of that and the public accommodations

> ordinance

> > passed and the restaurants were integrated overnight. That's the  

> story I

> > remember.

> > Best,

> > Frances

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Michael Eisenstadt <mike.eisenstadt at gmail.com>

> > To: survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s

> > <austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>

> > Sent: Fri, July 16, 2010 4:27:06 PM

> > Subject: Re: [AGL] Theater stand-ins in Austin 1961 or so

> >

> > I arrived in Austin only in 1963. I do remember participating in

> > a protest at a gas station on the drag which did not serve

> > African-Americans. At that time Harry Akins' Night Hawk

> > restaurants were the ONLY integrated restaurants. The

> > next year, spring 1964, the City Council considered but

> > did not pass an equal access ordinance. Their excuse was

> > that Congress was working on Civil Rights laws which indeed

> > were passed that year, forced through Congress by then

> > Pres. LBJ.

> >

> > Mike eisenstadt

> >

> > ----- Original Message -----

> > From: "Jim McCulloch" <mcculloch at mail.utexas.edu>

> > To: <austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>

> > Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 10:39 PM

> > Subject: [AGL] Theater stand-ins in Austin 1961 or  so

> >

> >

> > > Chandler Davidson is arranging a reunion in December of people who

> > > participated in the standins.  Some members of the list may have

> > > participated, and if Chandler has not  contacted you and you  

> would be

> > > interested in such a reunion, you can reach Chandler at  

> fcd at rice.edu

> > >

> > > As I understand it, the reunion would be in Austin.

> > >

> > > --Jim McCulloch

>


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