Jan.4, 1962, The city of Montgomery, Alabama decided to go to
great lengths to make sure White travelers and Black Travelers would not
intersect after a federal judge’s order to desegregate the city’s municipal
airport Dannelly Field.
U.S. District Court Judge Frank M. Johnston issued an order
that prohibited the city commissioners and airport restaurant operators from barring
anyone of any race from using any airport facilities. Johnston also ordered all
the signs declaring race-specific facilities, “Negro Fountain” or “White Restroom,”
to be taken down.
In response, city attorney Calvin Whitesell said that obviously, they would appeal to the Appellate Court because segregation was the best
option. Also, he ordered all the chairs in waiting rooms would be removed,
restrooms locked, and water fountains shut off. He added that the restaurant would
be closed rather than desegregated.
While this appealed to the strong segregationist segment of
the city the airport had military contracts and the businessmen of Montgomery
were already dealing with some ongoing sit-ins so the chamber told Whitehall
and the city commissioners that they would not back the move to shut down the
airport’s facilities and seating area. Also, the Chamber had led the financing
of the two-year-old terminal and felt ownership over the airport
Sources:
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/desegregation-airports-american-south
https://casetext.com/case/united-states-v-city-of-montgomery
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