Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke visited the Seventh Ward Monday for a dedication ceremony for the late civil rights attorney A.P Tureaud. It’s part of a new initiative to preserve historic Civil Rights sites.
Alexander Pierre Tureaud, known as A. P., lived at the Pauger Street house from 1947 until his death in 1972. During that time he led the N-A-A-C-P’s drive to desegregate schools and other public facilities and ensure equal pay for public school teachers. The family endured death threats during the Civil Rights movement, which he guided alongside Thurgood Marshall.
At the dedication ceremony, Tureaud’s son – AP Junior – said his father worked far and wide for change.
“This man didn’t achieve all of these incredible things by himself. He networked with everyone and anyone – black or white – who wanted to make a better life for everyone in this city, in this state and in this country," tureausd said.
The goal of the Civil Rights Network, which is administered by the National Parks Service, is to ensure that the African-American struggle is recognized with historic designations. It was created by Congress last year.
Secretary Zinke told the Tureaud family and local political leaders:
“We have to show unity and we don’t run from history, we learn from it. That is how out country will become the country it should be.”
To be included in the network, sites must qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, as did the home of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers in Mississippi.
