Join us on Saturday, July 22 for a special evening to honor the brave activists behind the Baton Rouge Swim-In, held right on the ground where the City Park Pool once sat.

Tankproof founders Torrence and Thurman Thomas

A special commemoration, held in the very location of the former City Park pool and the site of the Baton Rouge Swim-In, that will lift up the story of a pivotal moment in the local civil rights struggle. Attendees will hear directly from participants of the Swim-In, learn why this story is still incredibly relevant 60 years later, and enjoy an evening celebrating the bravery and the impact of those who helped end segregationist policy in Baton Rouge.

The event will include remarks from Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman (District 10), Debra George, Theda Martinez, Maxine Crump, Torrence and Thurman Thomas (co-founders of the nonprofit, Tankproof), and the debut of an original piece by Chancelier “Xero” Skidmore, commissioned specifically for this event.

All And We Went programming events are free for everyone and open to all. The result of a multi-year partnership between Baton Rouge Gallery – center for contemporary art, Dialogue on Race Louisiana, and BREC, And We Went is an historic presentation of contemporary art and programming to mark the 60th anniversary of the Baton Rouge Swim-In, essentially held in the very space where the demonstration took place.

Click here to learn more about And We Went, the history of the Baton Rouge Swim-In, and more.

The former City Park Pool