The Fight for Equality Continues
Dr. Montgomery took his wife and toddler son, John II, to the municipal swimming pool on July 4, 1956. They waited in line with other Poteau citizens on that hot summer day but were turned away. The pool was for white citizens only. The next day Montgomery contacted a lawyer and they met with the city park board and mayor of Poteau. Dr. Montgomery insisted that all taxpayers were entitled to use the pool funded by city tax money. With the support of the city attorney, Dr. Montgomery successfully petitioned for integration of the public pool. In 1965, he organized the LeFlore County NAACP branch and served as president for fourteen years.
Text from article:
"Dr. Montgomery Heads LeFlore County NAACP
Dr. John Montgomery, well known LeFlore County veterinarian, announced today that a county-wide branch of the NAACP is being set up to consist of members in Poteau, Fort Coffee and Spiro and surrounding communities.
"The Negro population in this area is slight but the citizens are concerned about national problems, and we want to be identified and involved," the Poteau animal clinic operator said.
A Charter is being applied for and U. Simpson Tate will address a public meeting and install officers in April."
The Oklahoma Eagle. April 1, 1965. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
Who were other major figures in the civil rights movement? What did other people do to fight for equality in America?
Image: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. John Montgomery marched in Washington D.C., with Dr. King and 250,000 people in 1968. Associated Press, July 26, 1957. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.