There were enough activists at the Black World History Museum on Saturday to stage a riotous protest; however, they gathered to rally around the immortalization of a fellow steward of justice.
Activist Percy Green II, best known locally for his protest-climb up the St. Louis Gateway Arch during its construction, had his life-sized wax figure unveiled in his honor.
Green is most widely known for Green vs. McDonnell Douglas, which went to the United States Supreme Court.
“He’s worthy,” said ACLU Racial Justice Manager Redditt Hudson.
“His example should be immortalized for future generations, so we know our community is capable of producing men with that kind of commitment to us,” Hudson said.
Hudson, an activist in his own right, called it an honor to be in the presence of many others who have given greatly to the African-American community.
“I thought it was an outstanding ceremony for an outstanding man,” Hudson said.
The ceremony began with attendees mingling and breaking bread.
Black World History Museum Founder Lois Conley opened the unveiling ceremony by thanking members of the audience who made the figure possible.
Green’s wife, activist Jamala Rogers, headed the fundraising committee with Dr. Fred Smith. The cost of making an exhibit for the museum can easily exceed $15,000.
“It’s important to become members and continue supporting, so we can do more projects like this,” Conley urged.
Green’s figure is a complete, interpreted exhibit. It consists of family, personal employment and activist memorabilia, including backdrop of an original painting of the Arch, commissioned to painter Solomon Thurman.
However, Conley noted the piece isn’t finished. Some tweaking and fine-tuning remains to be done. Most notable is the figure’s fair complexion in contrast to Green’s dark skin.
Conley wanted to unveil the work since most of the money had been raised, but she estimates that two weeks remain to completion.
The exhibit of Green serves as Conley’s contribution to the local commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the building of the Arch.
“There’s been all kinds of activities, so it seemed appropriate to acknowledge Mr. Green,” said Conley, who is part of a committee to commemorate the Arch.
Green’s figure at the museum is in good company.
It’s in a gallery with the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Another local activist, Macler Shepard, will join the two early next year. Shepard fought to save homes in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood and founded the Jeff-Vander-Lou Initiative.
Green’s activism dealt more with jobs and economic opportunity.
In July of 1964, he climbed 125 feet up the Arch while workers were at lunch. They returned to see Green flirting with death, but hitched to justice.
He joined CORE (Committee on Racial Equality), becoming a national name when he led a legal battle to U.S. Supreme Court against McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing).
He also has taken on Jefferson Bank (and protests there every year in commemoration), Laclede Gas and Wonder Bread, to name a few.
Conley said she remembers hearing and reading about Green, especially a man climbing up the Arch, but as a teenager didn’t realize his significance.
“Nobody talked to me about the importance of it – it wasn’t until years later that I learned why he would risk his life,” Conley said.
“My own experience of not knowing why or that it was on our behalf makes me more passionate about passing that history on, so younger people will know, pass it on and get involved,” she said.
The museum is located at 2505 St. Louis Ave. It’s open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Admission is $3.50 for elders; $5, adults; $4, teens; $2.50 for those under 14. Call (314) 241-7057.
