Civil rights pioneer Rev. H.H. Wright dies at 84

photo The Rev. H. H. Wright

A retired pastor and civil rights pioneer who helped change Chattanooga's form of government and once held weekly protest at City Hall against police brutality has died.

The Rev. Herbert H. Wright died Monday at age 84.

His house was set on fire and his van was bombed but he never shied from fighting for black and poor people, said local leaders.

"He was from the core for our people," said James Mapp, local NAACP president and fellow civil rights leader.

Henry Slayton compares Wright to civil rights leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

Wright was among 10 blacks listed as plaintiffs in the 1989 case that overturned the city commission form of government and led to more blacks being elected to Chattanooga city government.

Throughout the 1980s he protested poor housing conditions for public housing residents and police brutality.

In 1983 he held weekly protests at City Hall against police brutality for at least two months. He unsuccessfully ran against the late C.B. Robinson in 1988 for the 28th District seat in the House of Representatives. Arsonists burned his house in the 1980s and a bomb exploded his van in September 1987.

A lot of people were afraid of him because of his approach -- he was aggressive and sincere, said Mapp.

"He was a stalwart in this community. He made things happen," he said.

Wright was husband to Willie Lucille for more than 46 years. They had eight children.

He retired as pastor of Wesley Community Christian Chapel. He also was a former morning talk-show host at WNOO-AM and founder of the Action Coordinating Council.

WNOO-AM radio broadcaster Willie McClendon is among several residents who are forming a Herbert H. Wright recognition site in the minister's honor. The site is already marked at the corner of Orchard Knob and Citico avenues. They hope to have a plaque up about Wright and other local "unsung heroes" by Summer 2015, said McClendon, a former member of Wesley Chapel.

Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.

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