Ax Handle Saturday Remembered | Jacksonville News

Jacksonville honors a dark chapter in its history with a new Civil Rights Trail marker for “Ax Handle Saturday,” when youth activists were brutally attacked by a mob wielding ax handles in 1960. Mayor Donna Deegan, the first sitting mayor to join such commemorations, shared a heartfelt moment with Rodney L. Hurst Sr., a key civil rights leader then and now, symbolizing generational resilience. Hurst recalled the violence fueled by Klan-backed intimidation, while retired Lt. Col. Alton Yates, who was injured that day, praised young people’s enduring courage. The marker stands as both a solemn tribute and a call to remember how far we’ve come—and how much work remains. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/76538865640459e9