One of the sites of school desegregation in New Orleans. On Nov. 14, 1960, little Ruby Bridges, flanked by U.S. Marshalls and desegregated William T. Frantz.

Lieutenant Gov. Billy Nungesser’s office will convene a series of statewide meetings over the next several months to help identify locations for the new Louisiana Civil Rights Trail. This trail will help tell the overarching story Louisiana played in the Civil Rights Movement.

These gatherings are designed to get valuable input from citizens across Louisiana, to identify and interpret historic events, physical structures, and locations that helped shape Civil Rights history.

“We got the ball rolling late last year when we gathered citizens, stakeholders, civic leaders, and lawmakers in Baton Rouge to begin the initial process of sharing ideas in the development of the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “That meeting was the foundation to this next step of traveling across Louisiana in order to get a full appreciation of the potential important stories, people, and locations in our state that highlight an important time in our history.”

The statewide meetings will provide an overview of the project, discuss the nomination process and criteria, as well as answer questions attendees may have.  

“I encourage all interested parties to participate in this very important process with our statewide meetings. Information from these initial meetings will be vital in moving forward with the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail,” added Lt. Governor Nungesser.

The series of nine meetings, which will be held in cities across Louisiana in the April and May, kickoffs in New Orleans  from 10 a.m. unrtil noon  Monday, April; 22, at the Small Center,  1725 Baronne St.

Additional meetings include:

Monday, April 22 – Hammond
Tangipahoa Parish African American Museum
1600 Phoenix Square
Hammond, LA 70403
2 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Monday, April 29 – Lafayette
Clifton Chenier Center
220 West Willow Street 
Lafayette, LA 70501
10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Monday, April 29 – Opelousas
St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission
978 Kennerson Rd. (exit 23 off I-49)
Opelousas, LA 70570
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.                                       

Tuesday, April 30 – Alexandria
Kent House 
3601 Bayou Rapides Rd.
Alexandria, LA 71303
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Monday, May 6 – Thibodaux
Jean Lafitte Wetland Acadian Center
314 St. Mary St.
Thibodaux, LA 70301
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21 – Monroe
NE Louisiana Delta African American Museum
1051 Chenault Park Rd.
Monroe, LA 71203
10 a.m. until 12 p.m.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21 – Shreveport
Valencia Recreation Center
1800 Viking Dr.
Shreveport, LA 71101
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 22 – Lake Charles
SW Louisiana Economic Development AllianceA
4310 Ryan St.
Lake Charles, LA 70605
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

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