Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/87353
Sarasota News Leader October 12, 2012 and Siesta keys (accessible by ferry), but none gained public approval. In Septem- ber 1956 The News, a local newspaper, made a plea for the county and city to stop shifting responsibility and act by selecting a beach site, appropriating the funds, and making "the beach available to the Negro population." After much public debate, a south Venice beach be- came the unofficial "Negro" beach; the round trip from Newtown was over 40 miles. In November 1957 the city opened a community pool at the Newtown Recre- ation Center. The 1964 Civil Rights Act made racial discrimination in public places illegal, rendering separate beach- es unnecessary; however, it would be sev- eral more years before the area beaches were truly integrated." Page 50 The marker is significant not only as a symbol of historical social change, but for one unusu- al aspect: Though several dates are mentioned on it, it offers no specific date the beaches became open for all of the people of Sarasota to enjoy them. The change came about as part of a process seen across the nation, often with violence and with bloodshed. However, Sarasotans wit- nessed not much more than the occasional use of harsh language and the potential threat of harm one can see even today between the races. The credit for this social upheaval in Sarasota County occurring relatively peacefully can be accorded to some very patient and well-spo- ken but earnest and unyielding members of Sarasota County residents and local government officials on Oct. 6 celebrate the dedication of the marker. Photo by Scott Proffitt