On the year 1967, in defiance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the City of Sarasota passed an ordinance against interracial beaches. Carloads of Newtown residents drove repeatedly to several segregated beaches, protesting the discriminatory Jim Crow policies until they were revoked.
During the 1950s, the Colored Women’s Civic Club was formed by women in Newtown and led by Mrs. Mary Emma Jones. The Club was on the forefront of the battle for equal treatment and civil rights. Members were a catalyst that brought about major changes in health care, social services, and recreation for the Newtown community.
Between the 1950s and 1960s was the Civil Rights Era: Many protests were held to desegregate schools, beaches and restaurants.