06/05/2026
On June 7, 1892, Homer Plessy purchased a first-class ticket from the East Louisiana Railroad train at the corner of New Orleans’ Press and Royal streets.
Plessy boarded the train, took a seat and informed the conductor he would not be leaving the white’s only railcar.
He was swiftly removed from the train and arrested – which was his intention all along.
Plessy and the Citizen’s Committee organized his act of civil disobedience in order to fight the segregation laws that defined post-Civil War America. Plessy v. Ferguson went before the Supreme Court four years later and Plessy’s case lost, cementing separate but equal laws for the next six decades.
However, his case was instrumental for future Civil Rights movements and triumphs.
Since 2009, Keith Plessy and Phoebe Ferguson -- descendants of Homer and Judge Ferguson -- have been working together as the Plessy and Ferguson Initiative.
This Saturday (June 6), we’re teaming up with the organization to celebrate the 16th anniversary of Plessy Day, an annual opportunity to honor Plessy’s civil rights work and legacy.
Stop by the REACH Center from 10am-3pm for Cultural Dissent: Art and Democracy, which will explore themes of fairness, justice, and civic courage.
The morning begins with a youth art workshop for ages 6-12, facilitated by The Black School.
The afternoon program features a conversation on cultural dissent guided by Ron Bechet, with local artists Ayo Scott, Joseph Cuiller, and Carl LeBlanc about how artists and communities use their creativity to challenge dominant narratives in public spaces and imagine more just futures.
Use the link in our bio or visit nolalibrary.co/plessy-day for event details, plus reading recommendations, and more!
