Friendship Nine Member Clarence Graham Dies at 73

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Civil rights hero Clarence Graham of the Friendship Nine passed away Friday.

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73-year-old Graham was a member of the Friendship Nine civil rights group that spent 30 days in jail in 1961 after sitting down at an all-white restaurant in Rock Hill. The group chose a month on the chain gang at hard labor rather than paying a $100 fine.

Graham reportedly died early Friday afternoon after battling an illness. He died at his home in Rock Hill.

No funeral arrangements have been announced at this time.