The Civil Rights Movement and the NAACP in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah's Civil Rights Movement wasunique from those in other cities across the South.† Its strategy of direct nonviolent protest reflected what was going on nationally, but the movement in Savannah was fueled with home grown passion. Outstanding leadership in the local adult and youth branches of the NAACP, the courage and eagerness of Savannah's youth, and the wisdom of local elders combined to make the quest for equal rights in Savannah, truly, a movement from within the African-American community.

African Americans in Savannah came together to develop a well organized plan to boycott and protest injustice and segregation during the civil rights movement. The community developed a well organized plan to boycott segregated establishments and economic injustices. And through the sacrifices and indignities they endured during their pursuit of equality and justice for all of Savannah's citizens, the city became, according to museum officials, richer, more just and diverse.

The Savannah Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was first established in the early 1900s. Due to a decline in membership, its charter was revoked in 1939. The campaign for its revival in Savannah began in 1942 under the leadership of Rev. Ralph Mark Gilbert with a membership drive goal of 5,000. Gilbert served as the branch president from 1942 to 1950. He also organized and served as the inaugural president of the Georgia Conference of the NAACP.

The Savannah Branch was played a key role in the hiring of the cityís first black police officers in 1947, becoming one of the first Southern cities to do so. Savannah also boasted one of the largest and most active NAACP Youth Councils in the nation. Future Savannah Branch and Georgia Conference President, Wesley Wallace Law, served as the first Youth Council President.

West Broad Street (currently Martin Luther King Boulevard) served as the home of the Savannah Branch since its re-establishment. The current site of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum (formerly an African American owned bank and insurance company) once served as a NAACP office. Saint Phillip African Methodist Episcopal Church and the historic Bolton Street Baptist Church hosted many mass meetings. Bolton Street Baptist has maintained such status. The current NAACP office is located at 918 Martin Luther King Boulevard.