Not long after the event, Mr. Coates told his story to the local press. Publications such as the Northern Virginia Sun and The Virginian-Pilot began reporting on the details as soon as the following day.

In its September 15, 1959 issue, The Northern Virginia Sun interviewed individuals including Mr. Fitzgerald, who stated that he did not see the incident as a precedent because other Black citizens in the county could avoid jury duty by citing a lack of adequate eating facilities. The Northern Virginia Sun also obtained a comment from Mr. Coates's wife, Lutie. Referencing the recent visit by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, she was quoted as saying, “We can invite that murderer Khrushchev to dinner at the White House, but my husband can’t eat at the County Court House—a place our taxes have helped pay for.”

Mr. Coates would be interviewed by Jet the famous African American magazine on October 1^st, 1959

As news of the story spread, it generated immediate reaction on the political scene. The September 17, 1959, issue of The Virginian-Pilot reported on comments by Virginia lawmakers A.K. Donovan and Del. John C. Webb. The Fairfax Democrats denounced the Virginia law that prevented Coates from eating in the cafeteria as unconstitutional and antiquated, though they doubted the time was right for an appeal.