Hezekiah Watkins, a renowned civil rights leader and the youngest Freedom Rider ever arrested, will return to Owensboro for a public presentation on March 12 at Kentucky Wesleyan College. The event, organized by KWC’s NAACP chapter and community partners, is free and open to the public.
Watkins was just 13 years old when he was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1961 after entering a bus station with a group of Freedom Riders. These activists rode interstate buses into the segregated South to challenge the non-enforcement of Supreme Court rulings. Mistaken for one of the protestors, Watkins was jailed at Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, and held on death row for several days before his release. He later became a lifelong advocate for civil rights, working closely with the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and continuing to share his story nationwide.
“He was literally shoved onto a bus, arrested, and ended up on death row as a child,” said Lori Thurman of Kentucky Wesleyan College. “His story proves that young people can make a difference, and we want our students and community to hear that directly from him.”
The community event will take place from 6-7 p.m. in the Young Auditorium inside the Jack T. Wells Activity Center at 3300 Frederica Street. Watkins will speak about his experiences and sign copies of his memoir, Pushing Forward, afterward. The event will also be streamed on the KWC YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
Watkins, now 78, previously visited Owensboro, but attendance was limited. Organizers hope to fill the 300-seat venue this time.
“This is living history,” Thurman said. “When you can hear it instead of just reading about it, that’s powerful. We want the whole community to come out and take part.”
While in town, Watkins will also visit Owensboro High School and have a private lunch with student leaders from KWC’s NAACP and Black Student Union chapters.
The event is sponsored by KWC NAACP, the Daviess County Public Library, and the Owensboro NAACP. Additional support is being provided by the Owensboro Human Relations Commission and local community members.
For more information, contact Lori Thurman at [email protected].
Note: Background on Watkins’ arrest and civil rights involvement confirmed via Associated Press and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
