Images: Reverend James Edwards at the unveiling of the Edwards v. SC historical marker in 2021, Benedict College; and Evansville Press, February 27, 1963.
In 1961, 187 Black students walked to the South Carolina State House to protest racial discrimination. Hundreds of onlookers gathered as the students “peaceably expressed their grievances” and “sang patriotic and religious songs.” Although the protestors were not violent and did not threaten violence, the police ordered them to disperse and arrested the students for breaching the peace. The Supreme Court reversed
the students’ convictions, explaining that the Constitution “does not permit a State to make criminal the peaceful expression of unpopular views.” Edwards v. South Carolina, 372 U.S. 229, 237 (1963).
In Edwards v. South Carolina, the Supreme Court held in
1963 that the Constitution “does not permit a State to make criminal the peaceful expression of unpopular views.” How would you address the right to assemble peaceably through video or art?
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is pleased to announce the winners of its 2024 Bill of Rights Video and Art Contest. The contest accepted 2-dimensional artwork, video, and song submissions from Middle and High School students from across the Fourth Circuit.
The students were asked to consider the Edwards decision and share their thoughts on how they would address the right to assemble peaceably through video, song, or art? The Court received thoughtful and creative art in varied formats, each accompanied with artist and process statements.
The court extends its appreciation to its distinguished panel of judges for their work in reviewing the art and selecting the top three submissions:
High School
First Place—$1,000 Award: Seboeda Bria, George Washington High School, Charleston, West Virginia.
Read the First Place Artist Statement
Second Place—$750 Award: Norah Jones, King William High School, King William, Virginia.
See Norah’s black and white sketch submission and read the Second Place Artist Statement
Third Place—$500 Award: William Hill, First Presbyterian Academy at Shannon Forest, Greenville, South Carolina.
Listen to William’s original song and read the Third Place Artist Statement
Middle School
First Place—$250 Award: Arjanea Lewis, E.W. Wyatt Middle School, Emporia, Virginia.
Read the First Place Artist Statement
Second Place—$175 Award: Mary-Ann Dillon, E.W. Wyatt Middle School, Emporia, Virginia.
See the art submission and read the Second Place Artist Statement
Third Place—$100 Award: Destiny Jeffress, E.W. Wyatt Middle School, Emporia, Virginia.
See the art submission and read the Third Place Artist Statement
For more information about the contest, visit Courts4Civics.