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Historic Dorchester celebrates Juneteenth, annual walk
walk 2021

This past Saturday was not only the first Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday but also the 21st annual Walk to Dorchester.

Dorchester Academy building supervisor James Baker said each year the walk honored a former student or a pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement.

When the boys’ dormitory first opened students typically walked nine-miles, one way, to attend class on campus.

This year the walk honored Dr. Wyatt T. Walker.

Walker was an African-American pastor, national Civil Rights leader, theologian, and cultural historian. He was a chief of staff for Martin Luther King Jr., and in 1958 became an early board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), of which King served as the first President.

The Dorchester Academy Boys' Dormitory was the primary site of the SCLC's Citizen Education Program. This program, ran from 1961 to 1970, and worked toward attaining equality for blacks in the south by teaching them their rights and helping them acquire the knowledge necessary to become registered voters by passing the required test. The dormitory building was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2006 for its later role in DR. King’s Civil Rights Movement, and for its association with activist Septima Clark, who oversaw the education program.

Prior to the SCLC use of Dorchester, the Academy served as the first school for African-Americans and operated from 1869 to 1940.

Earlier this month a ribbon cutting was held in front of the former school ushering in more than two decades of fundraising and repairs. The new exhibit called the Civil Rights Movement at Dorchester highlights all the work done at the Center for the Civil Rights Movement which included several visits and stays by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The new exhibit was primarily funded by the annual Walk to Dorchester as well as donations received from other sources.

The walk begins at Briar Bay Park and ends at the Dorchester Academy. Baker said educators would ring a bell letting the students know class would soon be in session. He said when they “tuned” the bell a second time, students were expected to be in class.

Baker said the folks who attended Dorchester Academy displayed a dedication and commitment in making the nine-mile trek each morning to better their way of life.

Being Juneteenth, the group also held an additional fundraiser while highlighting the importance of what the new federal holiday meant.

Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free. Confederate soldiers surrendered in April 1865, but word didn’t reach the last enslaved people until June 19 when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to Galveston, Texas. It was also two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in Southern states.

Baker said the funds will be used to maintain the building and further the ongoing renovations of the second floor of the dormitory.

Former Riceboro Mayor William Austin, who currently serves as the Board President of the Dorchester Improvement Association said he has completed 20 of the last 21 walks.

“In about two weeks I’ll be 78 years old and I’ve been blessed and we are blessed to have people who continue to support this event,” he said. “We’ve been doing a lot of great things here at Dorchester.”

“This was the first place where African Americans could get an education in Liberty County up until 1941,” he continued.  

The walk drew in roughly 100 walkers.

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Former Long County commission chairman arrested
Parker arrest mug
Robert Parker

The former chairman of the Long County Board of Commissioners – who also was once Ludowici police chief – and an associate have been booked into Tattnall County Jail.

Robert Parker, 38, and Tony Fowler, 30, both of Ludowici, were arrested Thursday morning.

Parker is charged with three counts of theft by taking, one count of violation of oath of office, one count of aggravated assault, and a violation of the Georgia Racketeering Act (RICO). Fowler, a business owner who has done work for the county, is charged with two counts of theft by taking.

Earlier Thursday, the GBI, with assistance from the Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia State Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, executed three search warrants at the homes of Parker, Fowler, and a third person in connection with the investigation. During the search warrants, investigators identified and seized numerous items of evidence which will be further evaluated and analyzed.

On August 30, 2024, the Long County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate the alleged misappropriation of county funds. This ongoing investigation has revealed that several people stole money from Long County through a variety of schemes, for personal gain, according to the GBI. More arrests are possible as the investigation progresses and evidence is analyzed.

Parker had been police chief in Ludowici until resigning in January 2024, serving a little more than five years. He also represents Long County’s District 5 on the county commission. He did not face any opposition in his re-election bid last November.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Kingsland, at 912-729-6198. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.

Fowler house
Law enforcement authorities were on the scene at Tony Fowler's house Thursday morning.
Fowler arrest mug
Tony Fowler
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