A new marker will be unveiled Monday to commemorate part of the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail. It honors the Bogalusa to Baton Rouge Civil Rights March. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser said the 105-mile demonstration grew from 25 to 600 people before its final stop.
“The march took 10 days, in the August heat in 1967. We will be putting up the fourth marker on the Civil Rights Trail at A.Z. Young Park there right across from the capitol,” said Nungesser.
A.Z. Young Park is named for the man who presented a list of grievances to then-Governor John McKeithen, regarding things like employment discrimination. Nungesser said members of the Young family will attend Monday’s ceremony and the marker at A.Z. Young Park is the fourth of 15 to be unveiled along the trail.
“And then we’ll come back with 15 more and continue to put these up and get in line with Alabama and Mississippi as they see hundreds of thousands of visitors visit the Civil Rights Trail there in their states,” said Nungesser.
The trail also features an interactive website at LouisianaCivilRightsTrail.com.
Nungesser said not only is the trail meant to draw tourists to the state, but also inform people about the history of the struggle for Black equality.
“We will also use it as an education tool. To talk about those heroes in Louisiana and how they changed history throughout the country,” said Nungesser.
A reception following the 10:30 a.m. event will also be held at the Lt. Governor’s apartment at the Pentagon Barracks. COVID safety protocols will be enforced.
A.Z. Young Park is located at 800 N Third Street in Baton Rouge.
