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"Testament"
Civil Rights Memorial
Sculpture of the Little Rock Nine
Facing law and social custom that
defined them as second tier citizens, the Little Rock
Nine, taking their cue
from the ever expanding struggle for civil rights, opted to define
themselves
quite differently. With the help of stalwart parents, other family
members,
and those in the community who shared their vision, this group of young
people came to
understand the reality of their time, but chose to believe in a
reality yet to come. It was,
in part, this focus that allowed them to
suffer the indignities heaped upon them by those
who firmly believed in the laws
of equality. With the support of countless others around
the globe, and
especially the guidance of L.C. and Daisy Bates, the Little Rock Nine
walked
through the doors of Central High School. Their act of courage opened
doors
symbolically all over segregated America.
Sculptors: Deering, Scallion, and
Deering Studio
Legislative Sponsors: Senator Tracy
Steele
Senator Irma Hunter Brown
Funding by:
Little Rock Nine Foundation
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
83rd, 84th, and 85th General
Assemblies of the Arkansas Legislature
Secretary of State Charlie Daniels -
Governor Mike Huckabee |