Mississippi Freedom Summer — 1964

We were in this auditorium, and they tell us: "Three people are missing." And the next day we all got on the bus to Mississippi. — Hardy Frye

"Your work is just beginning. If you go back home and sit down and take what these white men in Mississippi are doing to us. ...if you take it and don't do something about it. ...then God damn your souls."  — Mississippi CORE leader Dave Dennis delivering the eulogy for James Chaney, murdered by cops and Klan in Philadelphia MS, 1964.

COFO office, Hattiesburg, MS. From left to right, volunteers Terri Shaw, Joyce Brown, Nancy Ellin, Sheila Michaels, unknown.     Hattiesburg activist Gracie Hawthorne in front of COFO headquarters.

 

"Freedom House," Holly Springs, MS.

Holly Springs, MS. Hardy Frye & Howard Jeffries standing next to our project's Plymouth with the SNCC logo that I had painted on the door. We had decided that we were not going to keep a low profile but rather make it clear who we were & what we were about. After about a week we got the word to get rid of it. The insurance company said it made too inviting a target & unless it was removed they would void our insurance. So we took it off.  — Frank Cieciorka.

"Freedom Day" in Greenwood, MS.

"Freedom Day" in Holly Springs MS. The paper pinned to my shirt says "Voter Registration Worker." Arrested & charged with "Carrying a placard." Five days in jail before getting out on bail.  — Frank Cieciorka.

We shall overcome, someday... At the end of every mass-meeting we stand, link hands, and sing "We Shall Overcome" while swaying gently from side to side.

 

Freedom Schools

"The atmosphere in the class is unbelievable. It is what every teacher dreams about — real, honest enthusiasm and desire to learn anything and everything. The girls come to class of their own free will. They respond to everything that is said. They are excited about learning. They drain me of everything that I have to offer so that I go home at night completely exhausted but very happy in spirit..."  — Pam Parker, Freedom School teacher.

 

Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) Challenge to the Democratic Party Convention Atlantic City, August, 1964

In preparation for the Challenge to the Democratic Party, the MFDP is built from the grassroots up with precinct, district, and state meetings such as this one in Palmers Crossing, MS, 1964.

MFDP 5th Congressional District caucus. Local leaders (left to right) Marie Blalock, Peggy Jean Connor, Vassie Patton.

The caucus completed, MFDP delegates, COFO staff, and Freedom Summer volunteers prepare for the Challenge in Atlantic City with high hopes and firm commitment.

MFDP state convention, Jackson.

Fannie Lou Hamer testifies about the systematic denial of voting rights in Mississippi before the Credentials Committee at the Democratic National Party Convention in Atlantic City, 1964.

Atlantic City boardwalk, August 1964. Vigil in support of the MFDP challenge to the Democratic Convention.

Dr. King addressing MFDP rally outside convention hall.   Hattiesburg MFDP leader Victoria Gray (below). Ella Baker inspiring MFDP supporters.

Bob Moses, Atlantic City, 1964.

Fannie Lou Hamer singing at MFD boardwalk rally. From left — Emory Harris, Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture) in hat, Sam Block, Eleanor Holmes, Ella Baker.

As far as I'm concerned, this was the turning point of the civil rights movement. I'm absolutely convinced of that. Until then, despite every setback and disappointment and obstacle we had faced over the years, the belief still prevailed that the system would work, the system would listen, the system would respond. Now, for the first time, we had made our way to the very center of the system. We had played by the rules, done everything we were supposed to do, had played the game exactly as required, had arrived at the doorstep and found the door slammed in our face.  — John Lewis, Walking With the Wind. MFDP delegates occupying the Mississippi seats, Democratic Convention, Atlantic City, 1964

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