THURGOOD MARSHALL ROUNDABOUT
In conjunction with the City of Columbia, CPJI is championing an effort to honor the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who, as a young NAACP lawyer, defended residents arrested in 1946 and was almost lynched near the Duck River.
The City of Columbia is working to install a roundabout at the intersection of South Main and East 8th Streets. As part of this project, CPJI has proposed to the Columbia City Council the installation of a statue of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
These images represent concepts only and are not final designs for these projects
This historic statue will encapsulate the enduring fight for justice that Marshall symbolizes to many residents. When residents pass the Thurgood Marshall Roundabout each day, they will be reminded of our shared responsibility to justice, unity and equality.
The location of the potential statute is along the famous East 8th Street corridor, which is on the National Historic Register. It has the potential to be a gateway connecting Downtown Columbia and the Arts District to the East Columbia redevelopment zones. It will also serve as a link between downtown Columbia and the new Justice Center in progress on South Main. When complete, the statue will stand as a connection between the African American community, commerce and justice in Columbia.
The project will provide the proper programming to connect area residents and visitors to our local history and heroes while shining a spotlight on our contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
“We hope that this project will add to tourism and civic engagement across our local citizens and those people who come to visit 'small town USA.’”
—Dr. Christa S. Martin, CPJI Board of Directors