Information Panel: The Battle We Wage...

"The battle we wage is not for ourselves alone, but for all true Americans."

NPS/ Claire Hassler

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The battle we wage is not for ourselves alone but for all true Americans - W.E.B. Du Bois

In 1906, the Niagara Movement held its second annual meeting on the Storer College campus.

The Niagara Movement was the first national organization of Negroes which aggressively and unconditionally demanded the same civil rights for their people which other Americans enjoyed. Elliot M. Rudwick, historian, 1957.

Symbolically important as the first meeting of the group on American soil, the conference organizers carefully selected the location of the meeting. They chose Harpers Ferry for its rich history, including the John Brown raid to end slavery, and StorerCollege for its commitment to education for people of all races.

We claim for ourselves every single right that belongs to a freeborn American, political, civil and social... W.E.B. Du Bois speaking at the 1906 Niagara Movement meeting.

Photo Caption: Attendees at the 1906 Niagara Movement Conference posed at Anthony Hall, the building in front of you. General Secretary W.E.B. Du Bois is seated fifth from the right.