Bravely Explore Outside This Summer!

This month, Cheryl Armstrong of the James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club opines that lack of opportunity, equipment, and education is a major factor in why people of color don’t spend enough time outdoors. For 20 years, the Denver Urban Spectrum has been trying to fill this void by informing you of opportunities that exist in our state. In August, we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary, so look for information on our anniversary events in the next issue.

Resources like the Spectrum and Beckwourth were not around 75 years ago, on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 1932, when a brave group of about 150 Blacks were kept from swimming at the Washington Park beach by an angry white crowd. Though the beach was not legally segregated, no African Americans had tried to swim there previously. The historic event resulted in the arrests of 10 Blacks and 17 whites who were said to have been encouraging the Blacks to riot.

The Denver Urban Spectrum plans to observe the bravery of those who stood up to racism that day, especially those arrested, on the event’s 75th anniversary this August. We are searching for relatives and descendents of those who were there that hot summer day in 1932.

According to the Denver Post, the following African Americans were arrested: Sam Scott, 21, of 2145 Lawrence St.; Roy Royal, 22, of 2221 Arapahoe St.; Harry Chambers, 18, of 2134 Court Pl.; Roy Harris, 18, of 2719 California St.; Roy Hill, 17, of 2735 California St.; Henry Armstrong, 17, of 2844 California St.; Henry Williams, 19, of 1207 E. 20th Ave.; Vernon Clark, 18, of 1871 Lafayette St.; Robert Old, 21, of 2406 Downing St.; and Paul Johnson, 17, of 2714 Williams St.

The arrested whites included: J Anyon, 22, of 1450 Lawrence St.; Nellie Anyon, 20, of 1461 Tennyson St.; Rae Green, 27, of 2720 W. Holden Pl.; Lydia Frank, 19, of 2720 W. Holden Pl.; George Smith, 24, of 801 E. 26th Ave.; Charles Walton, 20, of 2808 W. 14th St.; and Miguel Montyo, 47, of 3254 Mariposa St.

If you are related to anyone who was arrested or participated at the event, or know any of their relatives, please e-mail me at Tanya@urbanspectrum.net, or leave a message at 303-292-6446.
And, in honor of those who struggled for the right to enjoy the outdoors unhindered by prejudice and ignorance, get out and enjoy your Summertime in the Rockies!

Tanya Ishikawa
Interim Editor

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