ROCK HILL, S.C. — James "Jim" Wells, one of the members of the Friendship Nine civil rights protesters who spent a month in jail in 1961 and whose convictions were overturned 54 years later, died Sunday in his hometown of Rock Hill.
[PHOTOS: Friendship 9 changed history in Rock Hill]
Wells, who went on to become a prominent Rock Hill lawyer, was 77.
[Rock Hill's 'Freedom Walkway' will honor Friendship 9]
"Jim Wells was one of our quiet leaders, an inspiration to us all," David "Scoop" Williamson, another member of the Friendship Nine, told Channel 9's partner at The Herald. "He was so smart and gentle. A great, great man."
[Channel 9 sits down with Friendship 9 member, reflects on King’s legacy]
Wells and the other black protesters were convicted in 1961 of trespassing at a whites-only Rock Hill lunch counter.
The men chose a month in jail rather than paying a fine in what was called the "Jail, No Bail" movement.
[Nine things about the Friendship Nine]
Their time on a South Carolina chain gang in York County sparked protesters to stay in jail to fight segregation, Jim Crow laws and other forms of racism.
The convictions were overturned in 2015 in a court hearing that became national news. York County prosecutors apologized to Wells and the other protesters for their being arrested and jailed.
Wells grew up in Rock Hill and attended Friendship Junior College in Rock Hill in 1961 with other protesters. Most of the protesters grew up together.
"Jim Wells was a friend of mine my whole life," Willie McCleod, another member of the Friendship Nine, told The Herald. "He believed in what we were doing back then, and was willing, like all of us, to go to jail for what was right. He was a proud and good man."
Wells and other members of the Friendship Nine are honored with stools at the former lunch counter where the protests took place on Main Street in Rock Hill, and with signs and markers around the city.
[Civil rights activist Clarence Graham of Friendship Nine has died]
Wells, an Air Force veteran, was the third member of the Friendship Nine to pass away. Robert McCullough died in 2006 and Clarence Graham died in 2016.
Funeral arrangements for Wells are pending.
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