Rockland Breaks Ground For Thurgood Marshall Monument

NEW CITY, NY — County Executive Ed Day and Human Rights Commissioner Constance Frazier hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rockland County Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument Oct. 5.

They met with community members at Dutch Garden, 37 South Main St. in New City.

Eleven years before the Brown v. Board of Education case, Thurgood Marshall worked successfully in Rockland to integrate the Hillburn School system. A young lawyer, Marshall had just founded the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund.

Children of color in Hillburn had to attend the Brook School—which didn’t have indoor bathrooms, a gym or a library. The main Hillburn School had all the amenities the taxpayers could provide. A coalition of black parents joined with the NAACP in 1943 to successfully gain black students’ admittance to the new and improved school facilities.

The change set the stage for national school desegregation.

“It is a true honor to take part in this ceremony today as we move one step closer to the completion of the Rockland County Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument,” said Day. “Thurgood Marshall played a direct role in the course of Rockland County history. His fight in Hillburn is a crucial part of our history and his legacy is something we must all be reminded of."

“I believe this is the first time in the history of Rockland County that an African American, who ascended to the Supreme Court, is being honored for his humanitarian contributions to the County,” said Frazier.

The following words, attributed to Thurgood Marshall, will be etched on the black marble which is the backdrop for the monument, "In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute."

You can read more about the Hillburn decision on Nyack Sketch Log.