3. PROTEST!

The Community Responds

First Baptist Church Mass Meeting

Farmville, Virginia, May 3, 1951

First Baptist Church

The Richmond Afro-American published May 12, 1951: There Was Standing Room Only at Farmville School Rally

The First Baptist Church Meeting

On May 3, 1951, approximately 1,000 members of the Black community packed Reverend Griffin’s First Baptist Church in Farmville, Virginia, to decide whether or not to support the NAACP’s legal challenge to segregation in public education.

The former Robert Russa Moton High School Principal, J.B. Pervall, strongly opposed the NAACP attorneys Spottswood Robinson and Oliver Hill including Prince Edward County in the lawsuit.

"

I was under the impression that the students were striking for a new school. You are pulling a heavy load Mr. Robinson, coming to a country town like Farmville and trying to take it over on a non-segregated basis."

J.B. Pervall

Former R.R. Moton High School Principal

Mary Victoria Carrington Spencer Croner
"

When Barbara got up to answer, I was real frightened. I thought: did she know how to make the words? I thought she didn’t know what to say."

Mary Victoria Carrington Spencer Croner

Barbara and Joan’s grandmother

Headshot of Barbara Johns
"

Don’t let Mr. Charlie, Mr. Tommy or Mr. Pervall stop you from backing us! We are depending on you!"

Barbara Johns

Student protest organizer

Mary Victoria Carrington Spencer Croner
"

People in the audience said that’s good. I felt God had instilled in [Barbara] what I was trying to do. I was very happy God used me to that extent."

Mary Victoria Carrington Spencer Croner

Barbara and Joan’s grandmother

The Challenge to Segregation

Barbara’s determination sparked a movement. With strong support from the Black community, she and her fellow students took their fight against school segregation to the federal courts.

Their actions set in motion a legal battle that would have a far-reaching impact, challenging racism in ways few had imagined. Yet, many obstacles remained before Black and White children could attend public schools together in Prince Edward County.

Headshot of Barbara Johns
"

It seemed like reaching for the moon!"

Barbara Johns

Student protest organizer