Durham event honors life of Black WWII soldier killed in racially-motivated shooting
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Hayti Heritage Center is honoring the life and legacy of a World War II soldier who was shot and killed in Durham 81 years ago.
Booker T. Spicely was a Black Army private based at Camp Butner during the war.
Spicely was in uniform and visiting friends in Durham in July 1944 when a White bus driver followed him off the bus and shot and killed him for refusing to give up his seat to a White passenger.
He died after being refused medical care at nearby Watts Hospital, which didn't accept Black people.
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The bus driver was later acquitted.
On Friday night, the Hayti Heritage Center held a reception for the opening of an exhibition that honors Spicely's life.
The exhibition runs through July 13.
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