Freedom Summer: How Civil Rights Activists Braved Violence to Challenge Racism in 1964 Mississippi

www.democracyno... - Hundreds of people marched in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Wednesday to mark the 50th anniversary of Freedom Day. On Jan. 22, 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer and other civil rights activists marched around the Forrest County Courthouse in support of black voting rights. The rally was the beginning of a historic year in Mississippi. Months later civil rights groups launched Freedom Summer. More than 1,000 out-of-state volunteers traveled to Mississippi to help register voters and set up what they called, "Freedom Schools." Out of Freedom Summer grew the formation of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party that challenged the legitimacy of the white-only Mississippi Democratic Party at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The period also saw the murders of three civil rights activists - Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney. Events are being held across Mississippi in 2014 to mark the 50th anniversary of this historic year. We are joined by Stanley Nelson, director of the new documentary, "Freedom Summer." An Emmy Award-winning MacArthur Genius fellow, Nelson's past films include "Freedom Riders" and "The Murder of Emmett Till."
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[@1computernew]

As a child of the civil rights movement, and Mississippi native, I will never forget that summer. I even demonstrated several times. My crime was parading without a permit. Hundreds of us youth were arrested and had to go to jail. People, please don't take the right to vote lightly. We fought hard for our right and yours.

[@lisahind8858]

So very powerful. I just cannot imagine how terrible it was at this time. :(

[@1computernew]

I was there. IT WAS WORSE THAN TERRIBLE. I remember how we anxiously awaited news regarding the three voter registration volunteers, Schwerner, Chaney, and Goodman. We were horrified by the outcome. It was reliving the death of Emmitt Till all over again. It is so hard to comprehend the level of hate among some so-called humans.

[@nigelhamilton815]

Brave, brave people made a difference. Thank you.

[@alanjohnson4541]

Great job on this review and the documentary

[@yourcamden]

You should also include Tom Paxton's great song on this subject.

[@donnellelam3269]

An still nothing's changing same crap but a different way

[@dionnefreelance]

Cps in Jefferson City enslaved me