Mississippi murders

The Mississippi Murders involved the lynching of three anti- racism and social justice activists near Philadelphia in Neshoba County, Mississippi on June 21, 1964, during the American Civil Rights Movement.

One of the most fierce and pro- segregation states in the whole of the United States of America, Mississippi was not one to accept the Federal's pleas and new laws to diminish the segregation throughout the country.

However, the Mississippi Murders did not begin on the 21st of June 1964; rather it began in 1955 with the death of Emmett Till and followed by the election in 1959 when Ross Barnett entered his role as Governor with Paul B. Johnson Jr. as Lieutenant Governor.

Recent events in Mississippi:

In 1955 in August, a young boy called Emmett and his cousin drove to the store to purchase food and to play checkers with their fellow community members.

Emmett had bragged to the titillated boys that he was best friends with the white girl from the store.

He was dared by his peers to say something to her. Emmett had walked into the store and said "goodbye baby" and sprinted out, knowing that his behavior would not be tolerated. The white girl wasn't far behind with pistol in hand.

It was two nights later that Emmett Till - a 14 year old boy was announced to of have been murdered.

January 21st 1964, Ross Barnett retired from his position as Governor at the end of his term, where Lieutenant Paul B. Johnson Jr. began his first term as the new Mississippi Governor.

In the summer of 1964, hundreds of North university students prepared to go to Mississippi to teach southern blacks about their voting rights as full citizens of America.

Eager and ready to set up base, Michael Schwerner moved to Mississipi 6 months earlier than the time students were expected to be there. He established a base of operations.

Andrew was no stranger to civil rights activism - he led a local Congress of Racial Equality group on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He and his wife travelled to Mississippi to work for National CORE. They were assigned to organize the community center and activities in Meridian. Schwerner tried to establish contact with the white working class citizens of Meridian, and went door-to-door to speak with them. He also organized a black boycott of a popular variety store until it hired its first African American.

Andrew soon hired James Chaney, a young 24 year old black African American boy.

Andrew Goodman then arrived to complete the trio. He volunteered to work on the "Freedom Summer" project to register blacks to vote in Mississippi. Andrew was born and raised on the Upper West Side of New York City. His family and community were steeped in intellectual and socially progressive activism and were devoted to social justice - hence Andrews choice of career.

The three had approached Mount Zion Methodist Church for permission to use their church for meetings.

Within a couple of days time several of the church members including women were badly beaten by members of the Ku Klux Klan, they then set alight to the church.

The Mississippi Burning file was open and threats of intimidation were directed towards members of the police and the FBI

The three together worked brilliantly: James knew the culture and political climate of the area, Michael had an Ivy League background in social work and Goodman who just finished his training in Ohio about the Civil Rights Movement

The three drove from their base in Meridian to Longwood to talk to the locals about the fire a few days before at the church and since Chaney knew the area - he drove.

Schwerner made an arrangement to call the KOPHO office in Jackson if he didn't phone by 3pm, when Michael failed to call the office at the scheduled time, the FBI was notified, who contacted local authorities to see if anyone had seen the trio

A sheriff had seen them and pulled them over for speeding. He had taken them to the county goal in Philadelphia. The three were released a few hours later, although it is suspected that they were let go purposely at that time straight into the awaiting hands of the Klu Klux Klan.

The investigation began with Deputy Price who was the last person to of seen them, although he could not account for his whereabouts an hour afterwards.

On June the 23rd, two days after the disappearance the trios vehicle was found. Completely burnt down by a creek near Philadelphia. There were no body remains present in the car.

Agent Sullivan contacted J. Edgar Hoover for reinforcements. Explaining he would need more men, 100 men arrived the next day.

Over the next few weeks the Klu Klux Klan intensified and set many places alight however members soon came to the FBI to tell their story

The next day, from the help of Mr X, the bodies were found deep under the soil. The men had been shot once whilst Chaney had been shot three times.

Informants collected information that revealed Sam Bower, and Edward Killen participated in organising the crime. The murder was also set up by Deputy Price who had released the men, he arranged for the Klu Klux Klan to be there.

The three men were keen and excited to begin their campaigning within the state of Mississippi. Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner were enthusiastic young men willing to risk their lives for the obtainment of Civil Rights.

Little did they know, that they would soon become victims of a vicious crime.

Ross Barnett

Mississippi Burning

'Mississippi way of life, is the only way of life.'

Ross Barnett

‘substantial compliance with orders of the court, and in view of changed circumstances and conditions.’

5th Circuit Court of Appeals

"I love Mississippi! I love her people! Our customs. I love and respect our heritage."

Ross Barnett

"The Good Lord was the original segregationist. He put the black man in Africa...He made us white because he wanted us white, and he intended that we should stay that way."

Ross Barnett

'Stand Tall for Paul'

'Pursuit of Happiness'

'N.A.A.C.P. means Niggers, alligators, apes, coons and possums.'

Paul B. Johnson Jr.

40 years till justice was served.

only from 0.24, then maddy says part 2.