PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A century before the fight to end Jim Crow segregation laws, Octavius Valentine Catto was leading a civil rights movement in Philadelphia. The 19th-century educator and activist fought for better education for black students, led efforts to desegregate the city’s street cars and pushed for equal voting rights — all before he was killed at age 32. His contributions to American democracy rival some of the country’s most celebrated patriots, yet his story has remained largely unknown.
“We know more about Rocky — who’s not even a real person — than we know about Octavius, which says a lot,” said Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney, who first learned of Catto’s story as a young city councilman. “There were scores of these people throughout history, and it’s important to understand that there were people other than the Founding Fathers who contributed greatly to this country.” Continue reading “Philadelphia to honor black activist with City Hall statue”