Plaque unveiling at the Ritz recognizes Toccoa’s Struggle for Equal Rights

A large group gathered outside the Historic Ritz Theatre in Downtown Toccoa, Thursday afternoon to witness the unveiling of a plaque recognizing Toccoa’s Struggle for Equal Rights.

According to Main Street Toccoa Manager Christian Hamilton, the plaque recognizes the history of the Civil Rights movement and its efforts in Toccoa.

Toccoa resident Danyelle King was the mistress of ceremonies. She began the program by reading a quote about the significance of a community knowing its history.

“I’m going to start off by reading a quote from Mr. Marcus Garvey, the quote says, ‘a people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots,’” King said. “So, we all have an idea of why we’re here, to give recognition to a pillar in our community Mr. L.J. Harrison, and I think that this quote really fits in with knowing our roots, knowing our history here in Toccoa, and knowing who our leaders are.”

Toccoa Vice Mayor Evan Hellenga spoke about how Toccoans are stronger together than they are apart.

“As we honor the legacy of the Civil Rights movement here in Toccoa, now more than ever, it seems relevant and important for us to recognize the injustices that have taken place in America and even right here in Toccoa,” Hellenga said. “The Ritz Theatre was a historically segregated institution and it was only through a dedicated effort, a struggle for equality that things were able to change for the better. Our theme tonight is that we are better together. We are all Toccoans who are proud of our community. The plaque that is to be unveiled later is a continual reminder to us all that equality is an ongoing struggle and that if we can stand together in opposition to those who would try to silence us, then maybe the world could look a little bit more like the Ritz Theatre does today.”

Following Hellenga’s speech, there was a recorded performance by Beauty Mayfield Muñoz singing, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Toccoa Improvement Association President Marie Cochran read the inscription of the plaque to the audience.

“If all goes as planned, today will mark the end of a year-long process to install and dedicate an important new plaque for the Historic Ritz Theatre,” Cochran said. “The engraving reads as follows, for those who are listening and may not have been able to see the plaque yet, ‘the struggle for equal rights from the opening of the Ritz Theatre in 1939 until the dawn of the Civil Rights movement, white patrons were seated on the main level, and black patrons were seated in the balcony. This plaque acknowledges the history of this injustice and affirms that our community is stronger together than when we are separated.’”

Following Cochran’s speech, King introduced Former Toccoa Mayor L.J. Harrison.

“A believer of the Baptist faith, he is a member of the deacon board and an active member Black Christian Men Association here in our very own Toccoa, Georgia. The Toccoa Improvement Association recognizes that Mr. Harrison as a prominent public figure in our community,” King said. “He has been a member of this great organization for several decades and has served on its multiple committee and event boards. We just wanted to take the time to say, ‘Thank you to Mr. L.J. Harrison for your outstanding leadership and for providing us an example of what it means to change history.’”

Harrison, who was unable to attend the event out of caution for the COVID-19 pandemic and because he was celebrating his 59th wedding anniversary, recorded a statement about the event.

“I have faced many challenges growing up black in Toccoa-Stephens County,” he said. “I lost my job at the super market so that a white boy could have it; but then God stepped in and sent me to the Ritz Theatre where I landed three jobs and worked for 9 years. It allowed me to leave home at age 14, live on my own, as janitor, projectionist, and concession sells person at the Ritz. God has blessed me beyond his promise.”

Closing out the program was Zikerion Reese who performed the song “Change is Gonna Come.”

The event was co-sponsored by Main Street Toccoa and the Toccoa Improvement Association.