The Alexandria Library was built on Queen Street in 1937 on the former Quaker Burial Ground, with the consent of the Society of Friends.
[2] He received his undergraduate degree from Howard University and, although he didn't attend law school, passed Virginia's bar exam in 1934, at age 20.
[2] Tucker developed a strategy to use the courts to force the city to allow access: the first step would be to ask for a library card, and the second would be a peaceful sit-in.
[4] Tucker continued his plans by training eight local African American men between the ages of 18 and 22 in how to conduct a nonviolent protest.
[4] On August 21, 1939, five well-dressed young Black men entered the Alexandria Library, one by one: William Evans, Edward Gaddis, Morris Murray, Clarence Strange, and Otto L. Tucker (Samuel's brother).
[5] They sat at separate tables and did not speak to each other, as Tucker wanted to ensure they took no action that would justify a charge of disorderly conduct.
[4] Virginia continued its massive resistance efforts to enforce segregation; the Alexandria Library was finally integrated to adults in 1959.
[7] According to Audrey Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, the event was "an early crack in the wall of segregation", helping to pave the way for future achievements by African Americans.