Category Archives: Uncategorized

“One of the scariest situations that we found ourselves in during all of the racial incidents was at Mississippi Valley State College in February, 1970. The all-black college had been founded in 1950 and Dr. J.H.White, a black, had been … Continue reading →

“The St. Francis Mission is entirely separate from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and most of those at the mission had come to Greenwood from other parts of the country. They played an active role in all the … Continue reading →

“On June 5 [1968] sixty-one merchants asked Chancery Judge William Bizzell for an injunction against twelve individuals, the ‘Greenwood Movement,’ and all those acting in concert with them. I attended a hearing on the matter which began on June 12 … Continue reading →

“A few days later an open letter to the citizens of Leflore County was widely distributed, urging representatives of the white community, particularly city officials and businessmen, to meet with representatives of the Movement to discuss steps to ‘remove the … Continue reading →

“In late 1967 ‘The Greenwood Movement for Progress’ was organized by some of the black activists along with Catholic priests and nuns at the St. Francis of Assisi Center. An effort was made to boycott downtown merchants during the Christmas … Continue reading →

“King again came to Greenwood two weeks before his slaying and spoke to a large gathering at one of the black churches. He was picked up at the airport under pretty heavy security because we certainly did not want anything … Continue reading →

“[Martin Luther] King led the group up the wide front walk of the Court House and took his stand on the steps. A large crowd gathered around him, including marchers, some Court House employees, law enforcement personnel, and newsmen and … Continue reading →

“The following day was very tense as Greenwood awaited the arrival of the marchers, whose numbers had been variously estimated to be between 500 and 1000, led by Martin Luther King. Some of the reporters said De La had been … Continue reading →

“About 2 p.m. three of the freedom marchers, all black, were arrested after they attempted to put up tents for the marchers on school grounds. Among the three was Stokely Carmichael, who had been here before and always spelled trouble. … Continue reading →

“Another tense period came during the Freedom March in 1966. The Freedom March developed after James Meredith began a march from the northern state line to Jackson which was pretty widely publicized. After he had gone a short distance he … Continue reading →