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Living to Tell: Civil Rights on Long Island
Long Island photos
The local fight for equality
Local protests, pickets, events and visits from prominent figures who fought for civil rights on Long Island.
Remembering King
A photographer talks
Newsday's Jim Peppler chronicled the life and death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He tells of those days.
Civil Rights timeline
From Levittown barring African-American homeowners and renters to enforced school integration in Little Rock, Ark., the push for equality was fought on many fronts.
Do you have a story?
We're telling the stories of those who fought for equality. Do you have something to share?
The fight for civil rights
Dressed in a neat suit, Joseph McNeil and three college friends walked into a Woolworth's store in Greensboro, N.C., and sat where young black men, by law, had no business being -- at the "whites only" lunch counter.
This Hempstead resident and thousands of other people were part of the civil rights movement in America.
Past profiles
Delores Quintyne
Worked for racial equality.
'We felt that Suffolk County was almost becoming like the South.'
Watch video
Eddie Bergman
Bringing people together.
Trying 'to create local change through global exchange.'
Watch video
Darlene Harris
Nassau legislator.
'It was the first opportunity for us to really have a voice.'
Watch video
Charles Hayes
School principal in Nassau.
'What do I do to make (this) a place for black kids to learn?'
Watch video
Robert Gray
Fought school racism.
"I used to get calls every night ... 'You're gonna die.'"
Watch video
William Wheeler
Tuskegee Airman.
"We had senior officers who did not want us to be able to fly."
Watch video
Marianela Jordan
Spanish American advocate.
"I used to translate for my parents and people in the community."
Watch video
Barbara Patton
Elected as legislator in '82.
"The proudest moment was when I ... won the general election."
Watch video
Joseph McNeil
Started lunch counter sit-in
"We intended to sit and continue to sit until they served us."
Watch video
Rembert Brown
Worked to integrate Army
"When I went into the service, we had two armies." Watch video
About this project
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the 48th anniversary of the Greensboro, N.C., sit-ins that helped propel the civil rights movement.
On Long Island, a movement was also launched to help usher in change. Most of those involved have never seen their names in history books or had their stories told.
To preserve not only their history, but Long Island's as well, we recount these stories, in their own words. And, we will look forward and interview future leaders, those on the verge of advancing King's dream.
"The Fight for Civil Rights: Living to Tell" will appear beginning Sunday and on subsequent Sundays through March 2. Their stories will also appear here.
CONTRIBUTORS
Writers: Olivia Winslow, Jennifer Barrios, Dave Marcus | Videojournalists/ Photographers: Ken Sawchuck, Ken Spencer, Michael Ach | Multimedia editor: Arnold Miller | Slideshow narration and print project editor: Monte Young | Long Island Life editors: Tim Healy, Tracy Brown | Online editor: Emily C. Dooley.
