Civil rights activist Clarence Graham of Friendship Nine has died

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Famed civil rights protester Clarence Graham of the Friendship 9 died Friday morning.

He was 72.

Fifty-five years ago the Friendship Nine sat at stools in a segregated Rock Hill restaurant and changed history.

They were then arrested and their peaceful protest shaped the civil rights movement.

Their convictions were overturned in January of 2015.

The Friendship Nine was arrested at McCrory’s which is now Five & Dine.

“Out of respect for Mr. Graham we turned his seat around and put his favorite drink, pink lemonade, out on the counter for him and flowers and we’re not seating anybody there,” server Gwendolyn Greene said Friday.

The president of the Friendship 9 Foundation, David Boone, knew Graham since high school.

“Clarence was very smart,” Boone said. “He was very meticulous. He wasn’t afraid to dig in, roll his sleeves up and get involved. He worked hard, not for himself, but for minorities and he was so dedicated to that job.”

Rock Hill Mayor Doug Echols said his thoughts and prayers go out to Graham's family.

"He will be greatly missed by our community and his legacy never forgotten," Echols said.

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