Don't
Governor Miller Honors Paschal Brothers
UPDATE!
to Saving Paschal's
Restaurant
A talk with Curt
Paschal, CEO of the famous Paschal's restaurant chain
in
to Postcard:
Paschal’s Restaurant “The Paschal’s Precinct’s”
Last Day of Operation.
Congressman John Lewis (5th District GA)secures $100,000 of federal funding for the renovation and preservation of Paschal's restaurant and motel in Atlanta through the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act in Fiscal Year 2004. (http://www.house.gov/johnlewis/pdf/December_newsletter.pdf)
Black officials to urge feds to preserve
Paschal's site
Mark Davis - Staff, Atlanta Journal
Constitution
View the GABEO Resolution Here
Milledgeville --- Before going home today, elected black officials from
across
One of the final orders of business of the Georgia Association of Black
Elected Officials is to consider a resolution calling for the landmark
Giving historic status to the site where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and others planned their campaigns for equality would qualify the restaurant for federal funding, said Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta).
That cash, he said Saturday, could make the difference in whether the restaurant, which was closed in July, is destroyed or saved.
"We want federal support and believe it's appropriate to ask for it," said Brooks, an outspoken critic of proposals to flatten the restaurant.
The restaurant and adjacent hotel belong to
The original owners run another restaurant nearby.
The plans to destroy the old site touched a nerve in
School leaders said CAU, which purchased the restaurant seven years ago, was losing $500,000 a year to keep it open.
Placing Paschal's on the same list as other historically significant structures could ensure the restaurant's survival, Brooks said. Nearly 40 years ago, he recalled, he spent a month at the hotel, and saw civil rights figures nearly daily dining on Paschal's chicken.
The resolution, while not binding, would let federal officials know GABEO's feelings about the restaurant, he said.
Brooks predicted the resolution would pass as quickly as people passed Paschal's corn bread to each other.
Last day's meals at Paschal's bittersweet
Related:
• Chat With Other Paschal's Patrons
• AJC FORUM: Been to Paschal's? Who'd you see? What was the best thing on the menu?
By JIM
THARPE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a place where world-changing events took shape, where romances
blossomed, where common men and women broke bread with legends.
And on a sweltering July afternoon, it all came to a close with a simple flick of Moses Gammage's wrist.
"That's it -- we're closed," 73-year-old assistant manager Gammage
said nonchalantly Monday afternoon as he turned the lock on Paschal's
restaurant in southwest
After four decades of serving up generous helpings of cutting-edge politics, soul food and indelible friendships, the so-called "kitchen of the civil rights movement" was out of business, bade farewell by hundreds of last-minute diners.
"Not long ago, if you were black and you came to
Open at its current location since 1959, Paschal's was where the Rev. Martin
Luther King Jr. and his lieutenants planned the
A fading "Maynard for Mayor" bumper sticker touting Maynard
Jackson, the man who would become
Muhammad Ali ate here. So did Stevie Wonder and an aspiring singer named Aretha Franklin.
But in a city where development often wins out over historic preservation, the restaurant now faces a date with the wrecking ball.
Community activists have protested the planned demolition and will meet with
Paul McLendon, 74, signed a petition that asked that the restaurant be spared.
"In my opinion, it's the most important part of this community," McLendon said. "There's a possibility this place can be made profitable again. Look at all the people here the last few days."
Whatever the outcome, those who came out Monday agreed that Paschal's days as a community gathering spot were over. Many of them said that time had passed years ago.
Doris Wilson, 67, ate a buffet lunch of friend chicken, black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, corn muffins and peach cobbler with two of her friends. She remembered skipping high school in the 1950s to frequent the old Paschal's, which was located across the street but now is a vacant lot.
"Business fell off here as the years went by and the neighborhood fell
down,"
James Paschal, who with his brother, Robert, founded the original
restaurant, recently opened another Paschal's on
Raymond Meadows, 64, said one of the unintended consequences of the civil rights movement was the decline of business districts such as the neighborhood where Paschal's once thrived. Jim Crow laws created largely separate black and white business districts, he said. With integration, black businesses often suffered, as African-Americans moved to formerly suburban counties and, like whites before them, did their shopping and dining at malls and chain restaurants.
"We grew up with this place," Meadows said about Paschal's. "It was a home away from home. But business in this whole area started to decline as more and more of the black community moved to Clayton and DeKalb counties."
For a few hours Monday, it looked like the old days.
Diners filled every booth and every bar stool, and a line snaked out the door. At one point, the wait was more than an hour. One waitress said she had pocketed $200 in tips by early afternoon.
"This place has had more business in the last four days than it has in the last six months," Dodson said. But he attributed the flood of commerce to old-timers like himself coming back one more time, to remember.
Merry Ford came back for one last meal at the place where she met her husband, John, 17 years back. She had just gotten out of church and was having lunch when she locked eyes with a handsome, young man at a nearby booth.
"He was too bashful to say anything," Ford said, "so I asked the waitress who he was and wrote my name and telephone number on a napkin and had her give it to him. He called me three days later. We've been married 15 years."
If you believe that Paschal's is a significant part of black history in
Thank You For Your Support!
“It's
a disgrace that
“Yes, I'm in favor of saving Paschals,and it's historical value.” – Christine Lewis, Avondale Estates, GA
"Preserve
the history that this restaurant has built. If nothing else, Use the space as a
quiet learning center/meeting place for the students. Old menus, furniture, pictures
of civil rights meetings and other memorandum should be displayed for public
viewing...No matter what you do -- don't destroy a part of black American
history." - M. Gale Belton,
Vernice
Lawson,
"Paschal's
is quintessential to
Karen
Sanderfur,
"I
had the pleasure of dining at this fine establishment when I was a college
student
in the 70's. Please save this piece of Black History." - Elizabeth
Sneed,
"I've
never had the pleasure to eat at this restaurant, but I know that its very
important to preserve these places that were so special to so many significant
others." - Toni Barnes,
"As
a CAU student I remember going to Paschal Restaurant my freshmen year, and
enjoying the food while taking in all its rich history. This is an important
part of black history that should be preserved by all means." - Deena
E. Ashford,
Deborah
Plears,
"Please
preserve this piece of our history!" - Rosalyn Barnes,
"I
would like to support efforts to preserve Paschal's as a historic site. We must
preserve this valuable institution!" - Chandra Thomas,
Georgette
Jones,
Jeremy
B. Jones,
"I
am appalled at the fact that an historically black university would destroy
something that is clearly the epitome of positive, forward moving black life.
Paschal's provided food for the soul, meeting/fellowship, black economic power,
arts, family, leadership, etc. This sign is a reminder of where we as a black
community came from, how strong we still are, and where we can and will
go." - Ashlee Anderson,
"I
feel that it is our responsibility to perserve the rich Black History that
"The
old Paschal's is a part of our history. Who we were, the roads we have
traveled,who we are. Let's preserve our own History." - Sandra
Simone,
"
I have never been to Paschals, but the story I heard shocked me, that
"As
previous owner's in the service industry, my husband (Mr. V.)and I would
appreciate if the university system could utilize the building as an
institution for learning the hospitality industry. UUUMMH! SAVE THE SIGN and
BUILDING." - Rose Virgil,
"Our
first time at your restauant was in 1987, when our son entered Morehouse in
1987, and last year we had the pleasure of dining at your new location. We
enjoyed it so must that have reserved several rooms at your hotel for our sons
upcoming wedding (October 10-12). It's important that we reserve our historic
sites." - Glorious M. Crooms,
"As
a student at
Runako
Godfrey,
Jennifer
Harris,
"We've
got to preserve our history and our heritage, be it cultural events or
businesses. Support Black history/heritage." - O'Brae C. Bowman,
Sam
Clapp,
"It
would be a great loss to destroy such a meanignful landmark. With so much creativity
abounding in our souls, should we not pursue both the physical and cultural
needs of Clark Atlanta students (and others) by integrating as much of
Paschal's into the future dormitory's design?" - Clarice and
Steven Allgood,
"Help
save
Harold
Williams,
Stella
Gray,
"Leave
it alone, enough of history is gone from
"Save
the building and the vintage signs too!" - Jessica Lavandier,
"
"This
fine institution must and needs to be saved! The history and heritage that is
in so much danger of being lost as have other sites. The Magnolia Ballroom,
Lincoln Country Club and Golf Course, Kings Wig-wam and
Gary Saunders, Olive Branch, MS
Kim
Poole,
Sandra van Meek, Flowery Branch, GA
"Paschal's
is a part of our history and should be treated as such." - Stacey
L. Williams,
"Growing
up my father who attended Morehouse College in the 50's, told me the tale of
how Paschal's started out selling chicken sandwiches "out the trunk",
and rose to create an institution that would be the launching ground for world
changing events. One would believe that a so-called black institution of higher
learning would have respect for such tradition, and hold it sacred...if for no
other reason, than to inspire within it's student body the same spirit that the
Paschal brothers embodied in creating such a legendary megaplex of black owned
enterprisies." - Charles Lester,
Kesha
Nichols,
Ellen
Mendelsohn,
"Not
only is Paschal's a significant part of our Black History, but the service and
warmth of the entire staff is enough incentive in itself to have 2 great
locations in the heart of Atlanta!" - Jarrod Collier,
Alvilda
Jones,
"I'm
currently serving in the United States Air Force in
"It
would be a shame to destroy such a significant landmark and historical
artifact." - Michael A. Ferby,
Rahsaan
Tann,
"Any
part of Black History should be preserved, especially the good parts that hold
so much richness! I've had the pleasure of dining at the new Paschal's and if
the old Paschal's was anything of the sort --- MY, MY, MY! Our culture is the
only one that wants to get rid of every "Stone of Rememberance", and
it's sad not to have anything to look back on and reflect!" - Torrence
Wimberly,
"A
HBC should be the last to tear down a significant part of history. I'm a
Monica
Davis,
Carla
Phillips,
Lauren
Singleton,
"Paschal's is a true part of African-American History (Civil Rights Era). We can't let it die. Together we have major buying power. Let's exhaust all our resources before we throw in the towel." - Tonya Roberts, Tucker, GA
Ava
Ivy,
"It
would be a travesty to destroy Paschals. I make it a point to dine there when
in town the first week of the month each month. I am looking foward to dinning
there today as I am in town for the Got Jazz out door concert at Centennial
Olympic Park. I am Director of Marketing For One Nation Promotions. This is an
Omega Media event sponsored by Michelob, Delta, Creative Loafing to mention a
few and we are looking foward to another opportunity at the end of this event
to dine there." - Dana Armstrong,
"This
is terrible to decide to tear down the history of this area for dormitories. My
grandmother talked about eating at Paschal's and all the fun and conversations
that took place at the restaurant. The recommendation to leave the restaurant
inside of the dormitories is an excellent idea. I think that the students,
faculty and other visitors would enjoy this environment. So let's band together
to keep our history rich and strong - leave Paschal's!" - Elizabeth
Moses,
"As
a African American, and a professional who has been in the hospitality business
for twenty years, Paschal's has been a visual reminder to me that all things
are possible in business.They have promoted the fact that all persons could own
and operate hospitality related businesses, in a world today that does not have
a lot of black owners.The gathering spot for many, as this city's history and
the nation's history was discusssed intelligently.Whatever I can do to save
this wonderful site..., count me in!" - Tyrone Shannon,
Latrice
J. Lawson McGrady,
Annette
Nevels,
"It
is foolish to erase your own history. Especially this landmark. It is an
internationaly important site. Think of the future."- Charles T.
Orr, Jr.,
"We've
lost enough landdmarks in
"In
our efforts to move forward, we have forgotten our past. There is a direct link
between a people knowing their and understanding their past and that same group
of people moving forward into economic and social prosperity. I am sure you
will agree that there is a place for this building in our future... since we
have had so many famous people eat here, why can't we have this building earmarked
under historic preservation.....This is history." - Tonia Johnson,
Jack
and Yolanda Washington,
"History
YES! Landmark YES! but it was the FOOD that brought em' BACK!!" - Ralph
McGill III,
B.
Brown,
Jules
McNeal,
Jeraldine
Chambliss,
Susan
Turner,
"I'm
not from
Kimberlyn
Sinkfield,
"This
is part of
"Having
lived in
"Those
who forget the past often repeat mistakes which could be avoided." - Denise
Arredondo,
Aramintha
J. Grant,
Sandy
Coley,
Jamie
L. Evans,
Kim
Aiken,
Eleanor
Reed,
"There
are very few places left in
"I
feel we should keep a historical site." - Brenda Payne,
Darlene
Badger,
"What
a mistake it would be to destroy one of the few landmarks for Black History.
Our control seems to be oblivious to the value of a historical building that
reprensent all segments of our society. Certainly something can be done to save
this landmark." - Jill Mosshamer,
Renee
King,
"Paschals
will always be a part of my childhood memories. My favorite, the chicken that
my sister and I wrap up and put in our pocketbook on Sunday,(the piece was so
big) that night we had a special treat! But the for me it was the apple pie and
ice cream. Boy I can taste it now and that was 35 plus years ago. CAU, history
and memories are going down in that heap of what maybe a pile of bricks but a
life time of love, family gatherings, and history for so many people." - B.A.
Davenport,
"Have
we exhausted all options? Please save this historical landmark!" - Angela
Finley,
Jeraldine
Chambliss,
Susan
Turner,
Brenda
W. Davis,
"I
have never been to Paschal's;however, my fiance had lived in
"We
need to save Paschal's, because it is a piece of
"When I moved to GA in 1977--that was the first place folks told me to go try. They were right!!" - Marcia Boone, Morrow, GA
"
I remember the first time I dined in Paschals Motor Lodge and Restaurant, it
was back in 1971 when my DECA teacher had taken the class out for not just
food, but a taste of black history on what was then called
"I
may be young, but I know some things. Instead of tearing Paschal's down, it
should made into a Civil Rights Landmark!!" - James Pressley,
"It
would be a shame to lose such a historic piece of our heritage. What'a even
more sad is the very institution that should have spearheaded this drive to
maintain this piece of history is the one that wants to tear it down. Have we
become so "edumacated" that we forget from whence we came?(yes, I
spelled it that way purposefully)." - Bettye Hill-Bodiford,
Neketia
Jordan,
Eric
Bryon,
Lynne
Wiley,
Catina
Jorda,
Saundra J. Flanagan, Avondale Estates, GA
"Being
a native Atlantan, I feel that Paschals should remain a landmark. It not only
served as resturant for some of our greatest black leaders, but also as a
meeting place for them. Let's preserve our black history so that our younger
generation can still see a great landmark of our culture." - N.
Benson,
"There
are ways that CAU can have the new dorm, and Paschals can continue to
operate!" - Ken Hedrick,
Niela
Hill,
Cloretta
Ceasar,
Christine
Black,
Marie
Bornelus,
Tammy
Williams,
Christie
Flesher,
"Please
keep Paschals history alive! If we start getting rid of our history, it will
not stop there!" - D. Nelson,
"Keep
the building up because it is a part of our black history in
Shawn
Moss,
Sammie
Madison,
Juanita
Madison,
Mary
Christian ,
Annie
Brooks,
Libbye
Binion ,
Henry
Veal,
Daryl
Madison,
Chris
Veal,
"I
am an ex-Morris Brown student of 1990 and I have had first hand experience in
staying @ Paschals during a time when the water was not working in my dorm. It
was a lifesaver in 1990 and I am sure it was a lifesaver during the civil
rights era. I am urging you to save this landmark for the enrichment of my
children to come. My idea is to leave the resturant operational as is and turn
a group of units into a museum filled with civil rights information. Take the
additional bldgs. for dorm refurbishing and this will provide living space for
the students, preservation of a historical landmark, & a source of revenue
to the university by charging admission to the museum." - Sabrina
Taylor,
Gete
Williams,
"Paschal
means to me a legacy that is going to be destoyed. Back in the day Paschal's
was a restaurant where civil rights leaders had important meetings. Keep hope
alive and also keep the dream alive like Martin Luther King quoted. Even though
half of our prominent leaders are gone we still have a piece of history that we
can talk about and look at what happened back in the day." - Tosha
Madison,
"Paschals
is a part of history because it's part of the Civil Rights Movement. Paschals
needs to be saved because it's a landmark and it a part of history. We as
people need to keep The Dream Alive and save history or history will be
diminished. History makes up who we are as people. If we don't have history we
don't have anything to show. Paschals is part of history and we need to keep it
that way." - Sandy Madison,
"Please
don't close Paschals,because, it is a historical landmark as well as a
historical restuarant for me and everyone else too. In July 1984 upon
graduating from The School of Social Work @ Atlanta University where I received
my Masters in Social Work, my family from Westminster,SC & Philadelphia,
PA. and myself ate there for my celebration dinner,where,they enjoyed the food
as well as learning about the historical history of Paschals while we
ate." - Jonell Kinard,
"Please
save this for our children. There is a new generation emerging that doesn't
believe that Hitler killed seven million Jews...do you really want a generation
to lose sight of the struggles and battles fought for racial equality?" - Leighanne
Reynolds,
"PLEASE
DON'T LET THOSE WHO DIDN'T WANT US TO HAVE AN HISTORY IN THE FIRST PLACE
INFLUENCE YOU TO CHIP AWAY AT YOUR OWN HISTORY. THERE ARE ALWAYS ALTERNATIVES,
AND SOME ARE BETTER THAN THE FIRST PREMISE." - Marilyn K. McCrary,
Obinna
Lewis,
Clarence
Lewis,
Barbara
Lewis,
"I'm
orginally from
"This
is a vital part of history! There are many antebellum homes maintained by the
historical societies, but what about this business that brought together white
and black, that opened itself to the leaders of a movement that changed our
world! This business is historical in the civil rights movement, but also as a
profitable business owned, managed and successful by black men! The future
generations need to be continually reminded at what can be accomplished, even
more so now because of the men and women that frequented this business. If we continue
to demolish our history, we are only doomed to repeat it. I would love to help
however possible! People need to be reminded of history, to preserve the
legacies set forth by the brothers who opened it and by those that fought to
free all of us (even white females like me)!" - Beverly Burns,
"If
we do nothing black history will be wiped away, just look at Morris Brown U.
and our history books." - Keith E. Stephen,
Tina
Perrin,
"Once
history is erased we can not create it. Please, preserve this place of black
historical significance." - Gregory Nash,
"PLEASE
GIVE IT A CHANGE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS THE COMPANY VISION,
"I
eat a Paschal's at least three times a week with my co-workers. We are a young group
of educators who was introduced to the resturant by our principal. We have
grown to love it and would hate to see it demolished." - Christopher
James,
Eric
London,
"Surely
there something that can be done to preserve this landmark. Do we have destroy
our history in the name of progress?!?" - Terez Mays,
Reginald
Jones,
Brian Ivy, Stockbridge, GA
Dr.
Ron Bohlander,
"This
is such an important place it should be preserved as a national historic
site." - J. Allen Rider &Karen E. Reagle ,
Bobby
L. McClain,
Tamara
Jones,
Dimirial
Richburg,
"I
feel that Paschal's should stay in business because of the history. We as a
black community should want as much of our history to stay in tact as
possible." - Hope Paschal,
Lynn
Richburg,
Terri
A. Scott,
"I
love progress, but not at the expense of loosing our historical landmarks. I am
certain that CAU has Plan II and Plan III. We would greatly appreciate their
decision to use either plan." - E. Marie Scott,
"I'VE
NEVER EVEN BEEN TO PASCHALS AND I CALL MYSELF EATING AT ALL THE TOP NOTCH SPOTS
IN AND AROUND
"We
need to keep Paschals open for the history that was made there, it is very
important that we teach our young people about the importance of the building.
The history is great, the lounge was one place we could go for big time
entertainment. Let the people know what they can do with hard work,and a good
idea.It should be made a landmark." - Sandra C. Williamson,
"CAU
can only see $$$$ signs. Some things are more important than money." - M.
J. Oliver,
"Please
do not destroy this historic landmark. University officials must continue to
look for opportunities to reduce the deficit, provide additional quality
housing for students and preserve the "original" Paschals. These are
not mutually exclusive goals." - Cheryl P. Wilcox,
"We
must begin to value our history, this site deserves to be on the National
Historic Registry. It needs to continue to serve the food it has been serving
since 1960, but in an atmosphere tha acknowledges the historic legacy of the
building (pictures, stories ect...)" - Joseph Derrick Lewis,
Mona
Spencer,
Michele
Oliver,
Mary
Spencer Carr,
"IF
YOU CLOSE PASCHALS YOU CLOSE A PIECE OF BLACK HISTORY." - Tuvayas
Duckworth,
"I
think it is very important to save this piece of African American history. We
as one people should go to whatever extreme to save Paschals." -
Demetrius Q Watson Sr.,
"I
have worked for the Concessions JV/Paschals Group. It is a wonderful company. I
know they have the resources to buy this or at least contribute something to
it. I totally agree with the statement that if they can save the Margaret
Mitchell House and the Fox Theater, that they can save little 'Ole' Paschals.
The Paschal Group impresses me so much because they started with one little
restaurant and then were able to blossom into the nice big enterprise that it
is today. I hope that the family who started this restaurant doesn't forget
their roots. NEVER forget where you came from. It is your legacy. I think we
all need to remember where we came from, and hold on to the memories, so we can
appreciate the good we may live in the present and in the future. SAVE PASCHALS
!!!!" - Brian Searles,
"If
at all possible, I believe that this restaurant should be saved. There is too
much history in this restaurant to just be thrown away. " -
Sharman Czahor,
Byron
D. Amos,
The
cost of "progress" in
"If
we, as a people, have the power to preserve a historic landmark, we should not
hesitate to exercise that power. May the powers 'that be' have the dignity and
common sense to acknowledge this fact, and "Do The Right
Thing"." - Ben CK Staten,
"It
is a sad day for all when history is forsaken in the name of the almighty
dollar." - Megan Kline,
"Paschals
is a part of history that must be preserved at all costs. It played host to the
most important events in Black American history. To allow such a historical
presence to be torn down by a wrecking ball without researching other viable
options (for which there are many) would be a travesty and a insult to the
African American Community in Atlanta and all across America. SAVE PASCHALS
SAVE PASCHALS SAVE PASCHALS SAVE PASCHALS SAVE PASCHALS!" - William
J. Russell,
"Please
save Paschals, part of
"A
CITY TOO BUSY TO HATE!
tom :-)" - Tom Rawls,
"This
is a historical site, don't demolish it!!!!!!!!!!" - Katherine
Jean Hawkins,
"Please
preserve Black History." - Chandra McMillan,
"Although
I didn’t in the past know much about the restaurant Paschals, after
seeing and hearing about it in the media, I believe that this is a very
important part of our Black history. I for one would not like to see it
destroyed, because I would like to have the opportunity to bring my 2 young
children ages 9 and 13 here and explain to them over a nice lunch or dinner the
history of how all the famous people like Martin Luther King came here to
strategize their famous walks. We as Black Americans have lost so much of our
heritage and if we continue to do so there will not be much left to show our
children, grandchildren and great-grand’s in the future. So please let’s
try and keep some of our past so that we can have something to show our
children in the future." - Ophelia Goldwire,
"I
am a native son of
"This
is really a no-brainer. To destroy a monumental historic site such as Paschals
is offensive and frankly quite rediculous. Our Black History is already being
wiped out enough by others without us joining in too." - Diane A.
Whitehead,
"
"
Mitch
Boyd,
"As
a historic site & a milestone towards black enterprise, Paschal's should be
reserved as a legacy for our future generation." -Genevieve F
Williams,
Tasha
Patton,
"DON'T TEAR IT DOWN!!!" - Valerie Chapman, Stockbridge, GA
Pamela
Parker,
Yolaine
Eiland-Spicer,
Cavalier
Spicer,
"I
was a student of the
"Can
we please hold on to some of our history? I have a three year old daughter and
I'd like to be able to talk to her about some of the people who have visited
Paschal's and for her to taste and enjoy that good home cooking." - Sonya
Robertson,
"Please
save this landmark, I want my children's children to be able to enjoy our
history." - Neana Randle,
Ivy
Pugh,
Shannon
Harris,
Anne
Chance,
"The
old Paschals is a significant part of
"Please
honor the hard work and dedication of the Paschal Brothers by keeping the doors
open. Let us come together and make a positive difference. We applaud the
efforts of Mr. Sonny Royal and "we" pledge to join him in encouraging
everyone to patronize the establishment so that the financial doors can open
very wide!" - Edward and Brenda Medows,
Sandra
Dee Roberts,
James
A. Walls,
"As
a young college freshman at
Doris
Benjamin,
K.
Jones,
"I
am a 34 year old white female. I have never been to Paschal's, but do know one
of the family members and think that it is very important not only that
Paschal's stay open, but that it be made into an Historical Landmark. I cannot
believe that Clark Atlanta would allow this historical landmark to be torn
down. I realize that CAU is in serious financial trouble, but they should allow
Paschal's to keep the historical restaurant open and take Paschal's up on their
offer (to build the new dorm in the back parking lot). I think that is the only
fair thing to do that could make everyone as happy as is possible in this
situation." - Shannon McCown,
C.E.
Williams,
Timothy
Hagan,
"SAVE
IT!" - Dr. Bethann Witcher,
"An
Institution such as Paschals should continue in its original state. Not just
for a reminder of the Black Struggle but an example for all Human Rights and
Humanity! Unfortunately, History has a short memory for injustice and downright
crimes against peoples. Perpetual reminders need to continue for reminders.
Otherwise, complacency and apathy set in. Paschals is a "Critical"
reminder for a progressive and compassionate society!" - Richard
Levin,
"I
grew up in
"I
grew up on Paschal's food and passed by the building every day coming from
Washington High. It needs saving. Dont' tear it down." - Gwenola
Grier,
"I
just can't believe you're considering closing Paschal's and then have the nerve
to try to display memorabilia from the restaurant in the proposed dormitory.
What are you going to say, "here used to be an civil rights institution -
but that wasn't important?" If Georgia Tech managed to preserve Junior's
in the Olympic construction, you could come up with a plan to sell to another
owner/operatoror and divest yourself of the property in history's best
interest." - Anita Prather Harvell,
"Too
much history has been lost to progress. Why not start with Paschal's and
incorporate history into progress? One must look back at our history as a city,
a region, and a nation to move forward together. Surely Paschal's, a physically
important landmark for the community, could be saved in order to preserve a
tangible connection to a force that shaped the country." - David
Howe,
"My
great-aunts always taught me the value of history at a very young age. Even
though I'm only twenty-seven and have never ate at Paschal's, I know of its
importance to histroy. It breaks my heart to see that this is happening. What
are we teaching are youth? When did history have a price tag? CAU, I do have a
question for you. Why are you ashamed of civil rights history? If it wasn't for
that resturant and the people who met there, this world would be worse of a
nightmare than it is now.You are a learning institution of higher edcucation,
you of all people should want to perserve it. I know economicaly times are hard
even for the bigger schools in the state as well but, they would work with
whoever it would take to perserve history. NO MATTER THE COSTS!!!!!! I'm just one
person but,please listen to the people and the community. Don't take a piece of
history away." - Michelle Grady,
"I
lived in
James
Royal,
Michael
Bryant,
"I
will support Paschals by giving a monetary donation and by visiting the
restaurant more frequently." - Sharon Robinson,
Marcus
Atkinson,
Cheryl
Smith,
"Paschal's
and the entire AU Center has never received its proper recognition for the key
role it played in bringing civil rights to America. I am white, and did not
move to