Jonathan Myrick Daniels: martyr of the civil rights movement

Episcopal seminarian Jonathan Myrick Daniels was murdered by a white civil rights opponent on August 20, 1965. The assailant had pointed his shotgun at a black teenager, Jonathan Daniels intervened and was killed. The event was significant to the church because it motivated the church to involve itself in the civil rights movement.

Earlier in the week Jonathan Daniels was with a group picketing against whites-only stores in Fort Deposit Alabama. The group was arrested and placed in a jail together for six days. They endured unbearable heat, spoiled food and inadequete plumbing.

The Episcopal church recognizes Jonathan as a martyr of the church, his remembrence day is August 14.

The black teenager, Ruby Sales became an Episcopal minister and established Spirit House-The Jonathan Daniels and Samuel Younge Forum For Social Justice.