John Due Jr.

He is one of the most significant and dedicated civil rights attorneys in Florida, a man
whose life’s work has been rooted in the struggle for justice and equality. Born on
December 2, 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Due became a central figure in the civil
rights movement through his legal expertise and his unwavering commitment to social
justice. Though not originally from Florida, Due’s impact on the state’s civil rights
landscape has been profound, especially through his work in cities like Tallahassee,
Miami, and Quincy.

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John Due is perhaps best known for his work alongside his late wife, Patricia Stephens
Due, another towering figure in the civil rights movement. Together, they were an
unstoppable force for change in Florida, with Patricia leading student sit-ins and
protests, and John using his legal knowledge to defend those arrested for their activism.
They were deeply involved with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which was
instrumental in organizing civil rights activities throughout the South.

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Due’s path to becoming a civil rights lawyer was influenced by the broader movement
taking place across the country. After earning his law degree from Indiana University, he
was inspired by the bravery of civil rights activists and moved to Florida to help fight
against the oppressive segregationist policies that plagued the state. He became the
first African American lawyer in Gadsden County, where he used his legal skills to
protect the rights of Black citizens and fight systemic injustice. He defended activists
arrested during sit-ins, worked on desegregation cases, and tackled housing and
employment discrimination.

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One of Due’s key areas of focus has been voter rights. Throughout his career, he has
been a champion of voter registration drives and initiatives aimed at empowering
African American communities politically. He understood early on that political power
was essential to the civil rights movement, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that Black
citizens could exercise their right to vote. In cities like Quincy and Tallahassee, Due
organized efforts to educate voters and dismantle the barriers that had kept African
Americans disenfranchised for generations.

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Another significant chapter in Due’s life was his involvement with the historic Freedom
Schools during the 1964 Freedom Summer in Mississippi. These schools were created
to provide African American children with an education that focused not only on
academics but also on civil rights and social justice, empowering a new generation to
carry the movement forward. His work in this area extended into Florida, where he
continued to push for educational equality and greater access to resources for Black
students.

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John Due’s activism has left an enduring legacy in cities across Florida, particularly in
Tallahassee, where he and Patricia were based for much of their lives. He helped
transform the state’s legal landscape through his work on voting rights, desegregation,
and economic justice. Miami, another focal point of his activism, benefited from his work
on behalf of labor rights, housing justice, and political empowerment.

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Beyond his legal work, John Due is known for being a mentor and educator, inspiring
new generations of lawyers and activists to continue the fight for civil rights. He has
been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to social justice, but more
importantly, his work continues to resonate with the communities he has served.

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John Due’s legacy is intertwined with the broader civil rights movement and the fight for
justice in Florida. His life's work is a testament to the idea that change is achieved
through persistence, education, and empowerment. Even today, his impact is felt
through the continued progress in voter rights, educational equality, and the ongoing
struggle for justice in communities throughout Florida. He has shown that legal
advocacy, when paired with community activism, can create lasting and meaningful
change.