PHILADELPHIA, PA–Famed Philadelphian Octavius Valentine Catto was most well-known for his fierce advocacy for voting rights and equality in civil rights. An educator by profession, Catto became the foremost Black activist in Pennsylvania in organizing African American men to register to vote and then to participate in the first Election Day, after the passage of the 15th Amendment, in 1871.
On Monday, October 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., The O. V. Catto Voter Empowerment Initiative, in conjunction with the Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity and the Office of Philadelphia City Commissioners will co-host the public Sesquicentennial Commemoration of Catto’s assassination from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event will take place at the O.V. Catto Statue, located on the Southwest quadrant of the Philadelphia City Hall apron, 1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
“The purpose of this event is to observe the 151st anniversary of the assassination of Octavius Catto. This will be the first opportunity for Philadelphians to honor our first African American educator, military leader, voting rights activist, community leader, and martyr since the installation of the Catto statue at City Hall.
“As we continue to witness efforts to dismantle voting rights in Pennsylvania and many other states, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity (as an organization) understands our mission is more critical than ever. We must continue to educate our community about the importance of getting registered and then voting on Election Day.
Without voting, we have no voice, stressed Rev. Robert Collier Sr., President of Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. “Our organization is proud to stand with the City Commissioners and the O.V. Catto Initiative to keep spreading the message about why we must all register and vote.”
To kick off the October 10th anniversary of O.V. Catto’s murder in Philadelphia, the 3rd United States Colored Troops will provide the Guard of Honor.
Participants will include members of the O.V. Catto Elks Lodge #20 (IBPOEW). Speakers during the program include Lisa M. Deeley, Chair of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. As will Commissioner Omar Sabir, Rev. Robert Collier, Sr., President of Black Clergy of Philadelphia, and Vicinity will provide the invocation. Aaron A. Walton, President of Cheyney University, will bring legacy remarks as the keynote speaker. Catherine Hicks, President of the Philadelphia Branch of the NAACP, and Terell Saunders, Exalted Ruler of the O.V. Catto Elks Lodge, #20, will give remarks as legacy organizations.
In the Philadelphia election of 1871, Colonel William B. Mann, a civil war hero, was running for the office of District Attorney on the Republican ticket. He actively sought the Black vote in Philadelphia to swing a divided electorate to his candidacy. Democrats feared his election knowing that his intent was to clean up the city of corruption and to enforce equal voting rights.
On the fateful day of the election, October 10, 1871, during this charged and intense period, Octavius Catto worked even harder to get out the Black vote, thus gaining more hatred against himself. Catto was tireless in his activism, working all day to get Black voters to cast their ballots. Before the day was over, a small group of white men, after passing Catto on a street near his home, turned around and shot him in the back, killing him almost instantly.
Octavius Catto was indeed a civil rights activist, voting rights activist, hero, martyr, and so much more. On October 10, 2022, his memory will be celebrated. His work will be lifted up. His legacy will live on.
In honor of the ancestors, all attendees are ask to wear traditional African attire or White (if possible) in ceremonial tribute.
All participants are ask to wear a face mask for health safety purposes
