Jerome “Big Duck” Smith, a legendary New Orleans civil rights activist and Freedom Rider, has passed away at the age of 87, his family confirmed.
Smith was widely recognized for his fearless activism during the American Civil Rights Movement, as well as his lifelong commitment to grassroots organizing and youth mentorship in his home city of New Orleans.
A Courageous Force in the Civil Rights Movement
As a young Freedom Rider, Smith put his safety on the line to challenge unconstitutional racial segregation on interstate transportation across the American South. His front-line activism repeatedly brought him into direct confrontation with segregationist violence and federal authorities during the height of the struggle for racial equality.
One of the defining moments of Smith’s national prominence took place in May 1963 during a historic meeting organized by author James Baldwin with then-U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. During the gathering, Smith passionately confronted Kennedy and the federal government, speaking directly about the harsh realities of anti-Black violence and demanding decisive federal protection and justice for Black Americans.
A Lasting Impact on New Orleans Youth
Known affectionately across New Orleans as “Big Duck,” Smith dedicated decades following the peak of the Civil Rights Movement to local community work. He focused heavily on supporting and developing local children, using community programming and local initiatives to foster pride, discipline, and historical awareness among younger generations.
Community members, local activists, and city leaders have expressed tributes following his death, emphasizing that Smith’s legacy endures through the many young lives he shaped and the enduring fight for civil rights in Louisiana and across the nation.
