Category Archives: Uncategorized

“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 →

“I was in Barrett’s Drugstore on the corner of Howard and Washington streets just a block from the theater one day. Garrard Barrett, the owner, and I were discussing the theater situation and agreeing that the city should try to … Continue reading →

“A mass political rally was held on July 20 as a preliminary event for the arrival of Dr. Martin Luther King, who was bringing eight in his party and was to speak at two rallies to be held at the … Continue reading →

“On September 4 the Justice Department, in a suit released at Greenville Federal Court, charged Greenwood officials with ‘failing to provide adequate police protection for Negroes at an integrated theater and asked a three-judge Federal court to correct the situation.‘ … Continue reading →

“That same day [July 16, 1964] the police had arrested 111 civil rights pickets on charges of violating the state law against picketing. This was the third so-called ‘freedom day’ held that year, and this one was made up of … Continue reading →