A junior high school for Brownsville
Caption: "A junior high school for Brownsville--Mrs. Emma Marcus, center, turns the first spadeful of earth for the David Marcus [later renamed Esther Clarke Hunter] Junior High School, Sutter Ave. and Chester St., named for her late husband, Col. David Marcus, Brownsville war hero. Participating in the ceremonies are, left to right, Dr. George Richmond, chairman of the local school board; Dr. William Jansen, superintendent of schools; Mrs. Marcus, Issaac Daniel Unna, vice consul of Israel in New York; the Rev. John M. Coleman and Arthur Levitt, Brooklyn members of the Board of Education; Abe Stark, City Council president, and Mrs. Clara Tabb of the Brownsville Neighborhood Health and Welfare Council;" large sign, "Junior High School 263 ..." in background.
Brooklyn Public LibraryIn October of 1971, a group of protesters effectively closed J.H.S. 263. The action was inspired by the ousting of Principal Ozelius Clement. For the week leading up to the occupation, parents boycotted the school by barring their children from attendance. On October 13th, they locked arms to block entry into the building.
According to the New York Times: "Parents and other community residents who have been supporting the two principals have charged that the district board, headed by Assemblyman Samuel D. Wright, is attempting to purge school personnel who will not support its efforts to use the district as a power base to enhance Mr. Wright's political ambitions. Mr. Wright has denied the charge."
Urban Archive