Monthly Archives: February 2012

“The Greyhound Bus Station was another target when they did away with their segregated waiting rooms. The station, across the street from City Hall, had paint splattered on it in the dark of night, and on some occasions spray paint … Continue reading →

“The hate sheets continued to be circulated in the night, and various individuals and businesses were the object of their venom. In one, Davis’s a ladies’ dress shop on Howard Street, was attacked in one of the sheets, which said … Continue reading →

“The FBI flocked into Greenwood after the Civil Rights Act was signed, and at one point there were nine agents here. They would observe the action at the theater and attempts made by Negroes to enter restaurants, but they were … Continue reading →

“After the Civil Rights bill was passed it was assumed that Negroes would attempt to integrate all of the restaurants which had previously only served whites. An article in the Commercial Appeal had stated that more than 100 Memphis restaurant owners … Continue reading →

“On September 27 [1964] a fire grenade was tossed into the home of a Negro woman, Mrs. Ruthie Mae Jones, setting fire to a chair and a portion of the floor. Officers said when they arrived at the home shortly … Continue reading →

“In October, the Mayor told members of the Greenwood Rotary Club that there was nothing the city could have done about the incidents that had taken place at the theater. He said ‘We haven’t had too much racial trouble here … Continue reading →

“In August [1964] Negro Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier and singer Harry Belafonte left Jackson after a fourteen-hour visit and flew into Greenwood. They went to the Negro Elks Rest [? sic; not sure what Sara is referring to here] … Continue reading →

“The theater was not the only target during the ‘long hot summer.’ Small grocery stores operated by whites in the Negro section were also targeted, but this time it was the blacks trying to close them up. In August [1964] … Continue reading →

“Frequently, crudely mimeographed hate sheets titled ‘A Delta Discussion’ were being thrown onto lawns during the night. They were tightly rolled and usually found near the street. They were distributed all over the white sections of town. The wording sounded … Continue reading →