
Coronation Honoree: David Williamson Jr. of the Friendship 9
June 11, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Charlotte FC News Release
The year is 1961, David Williamson Jr. was a college student at Friendship Junior College but on this day he and a group of others would become so much more than just students.
It was a chilly morning in Rock Hill, South Carolina and for Williamson there was nothing particularly special about this day. That was until a group of his classmates asked him to join them in a lunch-counter protest - an unexpected invitation but one he couldn't refuse.
"I didn't wake up that day planning to go to jail," Williamson said. "But it was the right thing to do. They challenged me to join them, and I wasn't going to say no."
The protest was to advocate for change to the segregation policies that led to dining establishments refusing services to those in the Black community. Lunch-counter protests were happening all over the country but this particular was the first to employ the "Jail, No Bail" strategy.
Refusing to pay the government money to bail out arrested protesters for the required days was seen as a stronger message.
"The biggest thing was to draw attention," Williamson said. "We know, as African-Americans, we go to the places where you work, we could cook for you and put it on the table, but we couldn't sit down and eat with you. By going to the restaurant, we wanted to be able to draw attention, and hoped that would open eyes to other things. It was only the beginning."
Williamson spent 30 days in jail in harsh conditions that included doing hard labor in the infamous South Carolina heat. Williamson and his classmates would go to be known as the Friendship 9.
Today, Rock Hill commemorates the actions of the Friendship 9 by having historical markers along The Freedom Walkway. As for Williamson, he continues to mentor young men, frequently shares his experience about the Friendship Nine in schools and civic groups, and works part-time as a teacher in Rock Hill.
Williamson will be featured as the special guest for Charlotte FC's coronation against the New York Red Bulls to celebrate Black Excellence.
Major League Soccer Stories from June 11, 2022
- Dynamo Beat Atletico San Luis 1-0 in 11th Edition of Dynamo Charities Cup - Houston Dynamo FC
- MNUFC Offense Shines in Friendly Against SC Paderborn 07 - Minnesota United FC
- Austin FC Falls to C.F. Pachuca in International Friendly Match - Austin FC
- Nashville Soccer Club Extends Home Unbeaten Streak to 25 Matches Across All Competitions - Nashville SC
- Quakes record second shutout of 2022 to earn road point - San Jose Earthquakes
- Red Bulls Suffer 2-0 Defeat to Charlotte FC - New York Red Bulls
- Christian Lattanzio: "We Are Blessed to Have this Crowd" - Charlotte FC
- Charlotte FC Tame the Red Bulls at Home - Charlotte FC
- Sporting KC Hosts New England on Sunday on ABC - Sporting Kansas City
- Earthquakes Face Nashville SC Today - San Jose Earthquakes
- Houston Dynamo Host Doubleheader on Saturday at PNC Stadium - Houston Dynamo FC
- Revolution Visit Sporting Kansas City on ABC - New England Revolution
- Coronation Honoree: David Williamson Jr. of the Friendship 9 - Charlotte FC
- New York Red Bulls Sign Defender Juan Castillo to Short-Term Loan Ahead of Match against Charlotte FC - New York Red Bulls
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Charlotte FC Stories
- Patrick Agyemang and Tim Ream Named to U.S. Men's National Team 26-Player 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Roster
- FIFA Club World Cup™ Name AHPP Team Base Camp Training Site Ahead of Inaugural Tournament
- Charlotte FC and the Laundry Project Support Patrons of Local Laundromats
- Clip Notes: Charlotte FC Claims First-Ever Victory in Toronto
- CLTFC earns win in Toronto behind Biel and Agyemang goals

