A Brief History of the Civil Rights Movement in Sarasota with Judge Charles E. Williams

Although not as well-known historically as other cities and towns during the modern Civil Rights Movement, Sarasota had its own version of what occurred in Selma, Birmingham, and other iconic civil rights battlegrounds. Taken in the context of the three landmark civil rights cases that defined citizenship for African-Americans in this country, Plessy v. Ferguson, Dred Scott, and Brown v. Board of Education, this session will examine the impact these cases had on the African-American people who lived in Sarasota County during these turbulent times and its continuing impact today.

Judge Charles E. Williams is Circuit Court Judge in the 12^th Judicial Circuit of Florida. He is an alumnus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., and earned his law degree from the University of Florida. He was awarded the Community Service Award from the Manatee County Bar Association, as well as the Manatee and Sarasota County NAACP Public Service Awards. He is also the recipient of the Sarasota County Branch NAACP’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the C.L. McKaig Award, presented by the Sarasota County Bar Association in recognition and appreciation of his tireless dedication to promoting the ideals of equality, justice, and professionalism.
When he is not involved in his judicial duties, Judge Williams writes, directs, and produces documentary films. His film Through the Tunnel won Best Historical Documentary at the DocMiami International Film Festival.