Black L.A. 1947: Black Passenger Sues Greyhound After Driver Has Her Arrested for Not Giving Up Seat

 

image 3509_5th_ave_Zillow

At left, a three-unit property at 3509 5th Ave., listed for sale in 1947 at $17,500. Above, the property sold for $600,000 in 2016, according to Zillow.

Feb. 6, 1947, Greyhound Bus Suit

Feb. 6, 1947: The Sentinel reports on a lawsuit filed by Alpha Johnson and her son, Sylvester Ray, of San Pedro. Johnson charged that she was thrown off a Greyhound bus in Tulare in the Central Valley en route from Tipton to Madera for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman.

When Johnson boarded the bus, it was crowded and she had to stand. As passengers got off the bus, however, Johnson was able to take a seat and refused to give it up when a white woman boarded.

“You’re not going to ride this bus anywhere. You are getting off here!” the driver said, according to Johnson’s suit.

In Tulare, the driver called police and had Johnson arrested after dumping some of her baggage on the sidewalk, the suit charged. Johnson and her son had to take another bus to Madera to get the rest of their baggage, the Sentinel said.

 

Feb. 6, 1947, Los Angeles Sentinel

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
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4 Responses to Black L.A. 1947: Black Passenger Sues Greyhound After Driver Has Her Arrested for Not Giving Up Seat

  1. Is there a resolution?

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