StoryCorps: Marching for civil rights in San Jose

In 1965, San Jose resident Andrew Montgomery was inspired by Martin Luther King’s march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Montgomery was deeply offended by the laws preventing African Americans from renting and buying homes in certain areas of San Jose. So he started up a chapter of CORE – the Congress of Racial Equality. After hearing about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s march of 1965, Andrew and his friends wanted to follow in his footsteps – right here in the Bay Area.

Andrew Montgomery was 84 years old at the time of this interview, and was living in Oakland, on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. You can find out how to take part in San Francisco StoryCorps here. 

Click the audio player above to hear the story.